
THE GENTILE WIFE 

RITA WELL MAN 




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THE GENTILE WIFE 



THE GENTILE WIFE 

BY 

RITA WELLMAN 
A Flay in Four Acts 



NEW YORK 

MOFFAT, YARD & COMPANY 

1919 






Copyright, 1919, 
By MOFFAT, YARD & COMPANY 



: 20 1919 

©aO 51505 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 



Staged by Arthur Hopkins. Settings by Robert Edmund Jonbs 



"There's but one gift that all our dead desire, 

One gift that men can give, and that's a dream. 
Un'ess we too can burn with that same fire 
Of sacrifice; die to the things that seem; 

Die to the little hatreds; die to greed; 

Die to the old ignob'e selves we knew; 
Die to the base contemnts of sect and creed, 

And rise again, like these, with souls as true." 



CHARACTERS 

David Davis David Powell 

Mrs. Davis, his mother Vera Gordon 

Jacob Davis, his father W. H. Thompson 

Christina, his aunt Mrs. A. Asheroff 

Ruby, his sister Amy Dennis 

Eva Goldschmidt, his sister Litta M.^bih 

Herman Goldschmidt, her husband Stanley Jessup 

Naida, David's wife Emily Stevens 

Jane Allen Eleanor Montell 

Dr. Mackenzie Frank Conrot 

Dr. Hotchkiss. Charles Hammond 

Caroline Virginia Curtis 

ACT I. — Room in a fashionable hotel in New York, in March. 
ACT II. — Room at "Roselands," Long Island, in September. 
ACT III.— Breakfast porch at "Roselands." The following 
morning. 

ACT IV. — Same as Act II. September of the following year. 

PRODUCED IN DECEMBER, ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED 
AND EIGHTEEN, AT THE VANDERBILT THEATRE, NEW YORK 



DEDICATION 



To the managers who have rejected my plays, 

To the friends who have given me advice. 

To the American Public, 

To all those, in fact, who make the doing of a good 
thing so difficult — and therefore impossible not to 
try. 



THE GENTILE WIFE 

Act I 
Scene: The drawing room of a hotel apartment. 

Elaborate. Door a little left at back. A recessed 
window on left wall. A large door at right angles 
{right) leads into bed room which is partly visible. The 
entrance door left leads into a private passage way which 
has, of course, a door beyond which communicates with 
the public corridor. Naida is opening the private door. 
She is an attractive woman of about twenty-seven. 
Jane Allen comes into the passage and greets Naida. 
She is quite pretty and overdressed. 

Naida 
Why, it's little Jane Allen. 

Jane 
How are you ? Oh, I am so glad to see you Naida. You 
haven't changed a bit. 

Naida 
How did you find me? Whatever made you think of 
coming to see me? 

Jane 
Curiosity. 

Naida 
Jane ! 

Jane 
Of course not, darling. I wanted to see you again after 

[7] 



all these months . . . naturally. You know I always adored 
you if you can't sing High E without standing on your tip 
toes. It's a nice hotel, isn't it? What a lovely little room I 
How many have you? 

Naida 

Only this . . . and the other. 

But sit down. Come over here. . . . You get such a 
wonderful view of Fifth Avenue from here. I never get 
tired of sitting here and watching all the things going by way 
down there below me. 

Jane 

Isn't it dreadful to think how much you have to pay in 
New York for the privilege of seeing other people look 
like ants? 

But tell me something about your marriage. No one 
dreamed of your doing such a thing. It's positively thrilling. 
We were all talking about you the other night. You were 
so determined. You were the most ambitious one of our 
crowd. Why you were set on grand opera — no less. Are 
you going on with your music, Naida? 

Naida 
Of course. Why not? I don't intend to give up my 
career just because I happen to be married. 

Jane 
Happen to be married is good. What is your husband 
like? Where did you meet him? 

Naida 
You were supposed to come that night. It was the supper 
Alice gave after her recital. Don't you remember? 

Jane 
Of course. I had tonsilitis. Will I ever forget it? J 
was going to give a recital the next day myself. My dear, 
would you believe it ... I was up at Hoffenders just 
Monday and they didn't have a thing for me. What are 
singers to do? All people want is to go to moving pictures 

[8] 



and listen to free lectures. Not even a vaudeville house 
would take me. But you Were going to tell me something 
about your husband. What is his name? Alice was telling 
me . . . Paul, . . . 

Naida 
No . . . David. 

Jane 
Oh, yes, how stupid of me. I knew it was one of the 
prophets or something. Well, don't stop . . . 

Naida 
There is really nothing to tell. We had a wonderful 
little supper. Oh, I can't remember who was there. Celeb- 
rities . . . 

Jane 
Oh, yes, Alice always has celebrities, 

Naida 
Henrietta Walden sang. 

Jane 
Agony, I suppose? 

Naida 
Pretty bad. 

Jane 
Who else? 

Naida 
Reggie Woods sat on one side of me. 

Naida 
Reggie of all people in the world! Did he make yoii 
feel his diaphragm? 

[9] 



Naida 
Yes, now that I think of it. We all three got to talking 
about diaphragms. 

Jane 
Who . . . David? 

Naida 
Yes . . . David. Then every one around our table began 
to talk about diaphragms. Then everybody had to punch 
and pound every one's else diaphragm. 

Jane 
So that's how you got acquainted. 

Naida 
There's no romance really. How is everybody? I haven't 
heard from a soul. 

Jane 

Everybody is just the same. Going to be famous some 
day. What does your husband do? Alice said he was a 
professor or something. 

Naida 
He is a biologist. 

Jane 
A bi-what ? 

Naida 
A biologist. Don't you know what a biologist is? 

Jane 
No ... do you? 

Naida 
Of course. They . . . dissect things, you know. Pick 
animals to pieces ... all that . . . 

[10] 



Jane 
What a horrid profession. Does he do that sort of thing 
here ? 

Naida 
How absurd. Of course not, Jane. He works in a 
laboratory. He teaches, too. 

Jane 
Isn't that funny? 

Naida 
What do you mean? 

Jane 
The things that happen. Who would ever have thought 
to see you tearing around the conservatory that some day 
you would marry a man who picks animals to pieces. 

Naida 
{Offended.) 
It is very interesting. To know how things are made. 
Very wonderful. I intend to take it up myself. 

Jane 
Oh, I don't doubt it. Do you remember that red haired 
girl . . . you know who I mean . . . her one ambition in 
life was to sing Salome. Well, she married an undertaker. 
Now she gets quite emotional over the subject of embalming 
fluid. I saw her the other day. Even her hair has changed. 
Did you have much of a trousseau? 

Naida 
No. We only went to Florida . . . for a few weeks. 
David couldn't be away very long. All my things are for 
summer, of course. Would you like to see any of them? 

Jane 
Naida, I've been dying to, of course. 
[11] 



Naida 
{Going to left room.) 
I really didn't get very much. We picked them out 
together. 

Jane 
I should imagine the clothes picked out by a bi-lol-o-gtst 
would be very interesting. You couldn't get me a cocktail, 
could you, dearie? My throat is parched. 

Naida 
Of course. How stupid of me. I will order one for you. 
Don't you want something to eat ? A sandwich ? 

Jane 
No, thanks. Where did you say Mr. Davis gets his money? 

Naida 

I don't know. 

{Returns with several gowns over her arm.) 
Here are some of the things . . . 

Jane 
Darling! What a sweety little negligee. 

Naida 
I've never worn it. 

Jane 
Why not? Isn't it becoming? It ought to be. Whew I 
It came from Corinne. 

Naida 
It's too theatrical. I've never been able to see why a 
woman should look like a courtesan just because she hasn't 
her dress on. 

Jane 
Naida, you've become a Puritan. 
[12] 



Naida 
I always was.. 

Jane 

{Knoivingly.) 
Ah, la, la, la, la. 

Naida 
Oh, well, maybe not in the strictest sense. 

Jane 
That's better. Here's another from Corinne. You mean 
to say you've been married . . . how long is it, anyway? 

Naida 
Three weeks. 

Jane 
You've been married three weeks and you don't know 
where your husband's money comes from? 

Naida 
No, I don't know. What difference does it make? 

Jane 
Well, I would want to know. He might steal it for all 
you know. 

Naida 
Oh, I know he doesn't do that. 

Jane 
How do you even know he's rich? 

Naida 
I don'L {Takes dresses into room right again.) 

Jane 
Why for all you know, all this . . . this hotel and all . . . 
[131 



this might just be honeymoon grandeur. You may have to 
settle down to some little furnished room and a professor's 
salary. Did you ever think of that? 

Naida 
No. I never think of such things. Did you notice how 
wonderfully the sun is shining? It is almost spring. I 
can feel spring in the air today. 

Jane 
I suppose those Adams people who helped you will cut 
you off now that you have a husband. 

Naida 
Oh, they won't send me any money any more. In fact, 
I have begged them not to. 

{There is a knock at the door.) 
What kind of a cocktail do you want? 

Jane 
I don't care ... a bronx. 

{Naida goes to the door and gives the servant the 
order and receives from him a florist's box.) 

Naida 
Oh, look, Jane. Roses! 

Jane 
How do you know they're roses? 

Naida 
Oh, I know it. 

{Opens box.) 
I told you. Look ! La France roses. They're the sweetest 
of all. 

There is a letter, too. You don't mind if I read it, do 
you, Jane? 

[14] 



Jane 
Go ahead. 

{She arranges flowers in a vase.) 

Naida 
{who has read the letter intently) 
Oh, Jane! 

Jane 
I see . . .a love letter. 

Naida 
I am the luckiest woman in the world. 

Jane 
When did you see him last ? 

Naida 
This morning at ten. 

Jane 
And now it's five ... a box of roses and a letter. 

Naida 
Is it ridiculous? 

Jane 
No . . . it's honeymoon. 

Naida 
Oh, please don't use that stupid word. I hate it. I hate 
marriage for that reason. 

Jane 
You hate marriage? 

Naida 
Yes, everything is so regulated. Everything is so trite. 
Everyone you meet is always ready to tell you all about it. 

[IS] 



Jane 
Now I understand. 

Naida 
What do you understand, Jane ? 

Jane 
Nothing. Don't you think we ought to get some water 
for the roses? 

NAroA 
You mean something about me . . . Alice told you 
then . . . 

Jane 
Well, she did, if you want to know it, 

Naida 
I'm not ashamed of what Alice told you . . . they all 
knew it. You mean that I lived with David three months 
before we were married. 

Jane 
I am not holding that up against you, Naida. Heavens, 
I don't care about such things. It isn't your not being mar- 
ried that surprised me . . . it's your getting married. Why 
did you do it? 

Naida 
David. He hated the other way. 

Jane 
Oh, I flee . . . then he's proper. 

Naida 
No, he's busy. It takes a great deal of your attention — 
the other way. 

[16] 



Jane 
{Laughing.) 
Oh, Naida, I never knew you were a cynic 

Naida 
But we're going on just as if we weren't married. I 
mean ... it isn't going to make any difference. 

Jane 
You're set on being happy, is that it ? 

Naida 
Oh, yes. That is the only thing that matters. One !r>ust 
have that. Never make a compromise, Jane. Never consent 
to just live along. I will never do that again. Now that 
I know what real life is. 

Jane 
What is real life, may I ask? 

Naida 
To be glad of every breath you draw. To smile as you 
are going to sleep that the good morning will surely come 
. . . the blessed day. To see beauty and wonder in every- 
thing. Oh, I can't tell you. It's just being alive . . . 

Janb 
Just being in love, you mean. 

{As there is a knock at the door.) 
My little bronx is knocking. Go let the little darling In. 

Naida 
{Going to the door.) 
I ordered tea for myself. 

Janb 
He doesn't approve of cocktails? 
[17] 



Naida 
It isn't that. But I thought perhaps the idea . . . If he 
came in and saw me . . . We have these queer ideas, you 
know, about the people we care for ... I suppose its absurd. 
Is yours alright? 

Jane 

Smells divinely. 

(Raises her glass.) 
To your grandchildren. 

(Drinks.) 

Naida 
When we first came here we used to have our breakfasts 
on this little table. 

Jane 
Why don't you still? Is there anything wrong with it? 

Naida 
Oh, no. David got tired of eating up here. He said it 
made him feel so . . . rimminy-pimminy-Francesca de 
Rimmini. 

Jane 
What in the name of heaven is that? 

Naida 
It's a little expression of David's. 

Jane 
So he has little expressions, has he? 

Naida 
That is the only one. I admit it is rather absurd. Some- 
how, it's like David. 

Jane 
Has he a black mustache — sort of a decided black mus- 
tache ? 

[18] 



Naida 
Why, yes. What made you ask? 

Jane 
Oh, nothing. I seem to see him with a small black mus- 
tache. Do you know, I imagine he hasn't much sense of 
humor. 

Naida 
It's a rather whimsical sense of humor. 

Jane 
I know . . . Rimminy pimminy. 

Naida 
If you are going to ridicule my husband. 

Jane 
(Lauffhinff.) 
I'm not at all. I'm making fun of you. Because you are 
so happy — and I'm jealous. This cocktail has gone to my 
head I think. I suppose the first thing you'll do, Naida, will 
be to have dozens of babies and give up singing entirely, and 
all of your ambitions will go to bang. It always happens 
that way. 

Naida 
Oh, I want to live, Jane. I'm not going to let ambition 
cheat me out of life. I want to suffer and know things. 
I'm not going to be a cold, barren, singing machine. You 
might as well be a phonograph if you are going to order 
your life that way. 

Jane 
Can it be done? It takes a giantess to live and have a 
career at the same time. 

Naida 
{Lauffhinff.) 
I am going to be a giantess then. I feel strong enough 
to have ten careers. 

[19] 



Jane 
Look out! First thing you know you'll be wanting to 
have ten husbands. 

Naida 
Oh, no. When j'^ou really love, Jane, one man is ten men 
to you. He is alwaj^s changins;, always presenting some new, 
wholly unimagined side. Why, the other day David was 
telling me about his student daj^s in Leipsic, and he seemed 
then like an entirely different person . . . some one I had 
never known before. 

Jane 
So he went to school in Leipsic, did he? I suppose he is 
terribly well educated. 

Naida 
He has a wonderful brain. Since I have known him I 
have regretted that I never had an education. 

Jane 

Thank God for it, Naida. An education would have 
ruined you. Well, I ought to be going. 

Naida 
Stay and meet David. 

Jane 
No ... I can't 

{Opens bag.) 
Oh, my dear, would you believe it . . . I've got to ask 
70U to lend me some money. Do you think I'm awful? 

Naida 
Of course not, Jane. How much do you want? 

Jane 
You haven't twenty dollars have you, dearie? 
[20] 



Naida 
I will see. 

{Goes into room left.) 

Jane 
It's awfully good of you. I haven't forgotten that I owe 
you some already. You always were so generous. You 
know, aunt is always worrying about me in New York . . . 
(Siffhinf/.) 
I'm perfectly safe. 

Naida 
Here it is. 

Janb 
Thanks, dearie. This will help out wonderfully. 

(Gathering her things together.) 
If I would consent to debase my art, I could go into 
raudeville and make money. It's getting harder for real 
artists every day . . . It's been wonderful seeing you again 
— so happily married. 

Naida 
Oh, this must be David now. Isn't that nice? 

{As David enters) 
This is Jane Allen, David. This is David, Jane. 

Jane 

Awfully glad to know you. 

David is medium height, dark. High strung. Spare 
body luith head somewhat too large. Essentially the 
thinker. Something of the aesthete. He is absent 
minded, detached, but at present quickened by Naida 
and her passionate love for him. He carries several 
medical books. 

Naida 
Won't you stay now, Jane? 
No . . . can't. Have to go to tea. Did you know Anna 

[21] 



Tree has a job at the New York? She gives them classic 
music with their cocktails. I suppose nobody listens, any- 
way. Don't you think it is terrible the way art is treated in 
New York, Mr. Davis? But then you are a bi-lol-o-gist. 
Well, good bye, dearie. Thanks awfully. Come to see 
me. Good bye. 

{She goes out.) 

Naida 
It's been such a bore. I hate everyone now but you. 

David 
{Kissing her.) 
We are getting quite impossible. 

Naida 
I got your wonderful letter. You are so marvelous. I 
am so confused with all this happiness. 

David 
I wonder why it is that happiness always suprises us . . . 
unhappiness never does. 

Naida 
Oh, don't be philosophical, David. 
Let me look at you. You look tired. 

David 
I am. 

{Sits on the chaise longue right.) 
This is the first day I have been seriously to work since 
. . . You are such a luxurious little thing, Naida. You 
never know what it is to feel the necessity to work. I 
honestly believe you could spend your whole life lying on a 
couch with silk cushions and perhaps flowers to arrange in 
tall vases. 

Naida 
And someone to dream about. 
[22] 



David 
{Laughing.) 
Of course. Now tell me what you have done to spend 
the time since I left. 

Naida 
Well, let me see. I had breakfast . . . that was about 
eleven. Then I read the morning paper. Did you read 
about the new scandal? The Hollister murder? 

Naida 
It is the usual old story. The right remains the same, 
ished by society, no matter whether the murder was justi- 
lished by society, no matter whether the murder was justi- 
fied or not. 

Naida 
But if he was insane? Of course he is guilty. I suppose 
he is to be punished, too. But David, do you think that a 
man who adores his wife can know of her infidelity without 
going practically insane — for the time being, any way? 
Think of yourself . . . 

David 

{Arranging books in case, right.) 
My dear child, he has no right to do any such thing . . . 
to adore her to the point of insanity. Two people come to- 
gether because they have certain harmonious traits, certain 
qualities in common. They come, because of these, to love 
each other. If they continue to love each other these traits 
mingle and bind them closer. If the wife, in a moment of 
weakness, yields to the influence of another man, it is trie 
husband's place to discover sanely whether his wife is, in 
spite of all, still in harmony with him. He may discover 
that she is . . . then he must fight for her fairly. He may 
discover that she is not, then he must give her up to the other 
man. It seems to me that no love is worth anything at all 
if you are to accept it as a matter of course, or as a matter 
of legal ownership. 

[23] 



Naida 
But you speak of harmonious traits . . . That may be one 
kind of love . . . but I don't think all love is that. 

David 

What is it then ? 

Naida 
Oh, I am not so clever at definitions, David. I can't 
reason as you can. But love . . . the thing that brings 
people together . . . Well, I don't know that I would call 
it harmony of traits. 

David 
Well, let me hear your definition. 

Naida 
It's a . . . sort of terrible ... a sort of earthquake. 

David 
{Laughing.) 
That is simply a result of love. That isn't the cause. 

Naida 
Yes, yes, you don't know what I mean, 

David 

{Sitting beside her.) 
Well, let us leave the Hollisters. What did you do after 
absorbing the scandal? 

Naida 
I read about the election, too. 

David 
You were never interested in politics, Naida. 

Naida 
I mean to be, though. I've tried hard to remember the 
names of all those men concerned. I read all about the 
election before I even touched the trial. 

[24] 



David 

(Lauffhittff.) 
As a sort of penance for your pleasure. 

Naida 
Oh, I do want to be clever, David. I hate stupiditf. 
Do you think I am very stupid, David? 

David 

(Not reassuringly.) 
Not at all. Not at all. 

Naida 
You don't say that very reassuringly. 

David 
I think you have a good mind, Naida. 

Naida 
Don't try to be kind. I know. I know how to sing and 
I know how to be charming. That is all. You should have 
married a wonderful woman who could talk to you in seven 
languages about everything under the sun. 

David 

Naida, listen to me for a moment. I want to talk to you 
in plain English about something important. 

Naida 
Of course. But what could you have to say to me that 
is important . . . except that you love me. 

David 

There is something, though. I was on the street — just 
jumping into a taxi to come here . . . 

Naida 
{Dreamily.) 
You see I got your roses, David. I love the roses you 
•end me. Please always send me roses. 

[2S1 



David 
But please listen, dear. 

Naida 
I am listening. Go on . . . what did you say, David? 

David 
Naida, I am afraid I have done something I said I 
wouldn't. 

Naida 
David! 

David 
I met my sister on the street. 

Naida 
{Changed at once.) 
Your sister? Which sister is that? 

David 
My married sister? The whole family is upset on ac- 
count of our . . . 

Naida 
Well, go on . . . our marriage. 

David 
You see, they don't understand. 

Naida 
Of course not. Did you think they would? 

David 

Well, she stood there talking to me. In fact, she made 
me talk. Oh, well, there was nothing else for me to do. 
They're in town . . . 

Naida 
David, you didn't break your promise? 
]26[ 



David 

She kept- at me so . . . 

Naida 
And you ... 
(Rising.) 
Oh, David! 

David 
What could I do? I had to ask them here. 

Naida 
Them? 

David 

Yes, my mother and sister. 

Naida 
You asked them here! 

David 

Yes. After all, it is only natural, dear . ." . 

Naida 
You promised me, though. You know how I feel about 
families. 

David 
But, really when you come to think about it, isnt' it an 
unreasonable feeling? 

Naida 
You didn't love me because of my reasonableness, did you ? 

David 
But, dearest child, you must think reasonably at times. 
You can't go on forever ... no one can . . . in a sort 
of . . . 

Naida 
A sort of what? 

[27] 



David 
A sort of romantic dream, I suppose you might call it. 

Naida 
Why don't more people? Why must we always be 
reasonable? 

David 
Because of other people. 

Naida 
I hate other people. 

David 
I know you do. 

Naida 
Other people are always trj'Ing to make you like then> 
selves. Why can't I be like my own self? I'm not hurting 
anyone, am I? 

David 

You won't have to see them often. They want to know 
you, that is all. Families are made that way. They want 
to gather in all who are near to those whom they love 
That is a natural thing. 

Naida 
I know }'our sister is going to call you "Dave" and treat 
you like a college boy. That is what I hate so. 

. David 
{Laughing.) 
Oh, sister and I have always been pals. 

Naida 

Yes, that is the worst kind. 
So they are coming here . . . here. 
[28 1 



David 

Well, I could scarcely ask them to see us downstairs, 
could I? 

Naida 
You don't feel these things. This place is sacred to me. 
Everything in it cries out about our love and how gloriously 
happy we have been here. Why I couldn't stand seeing 
Jane here today. It seemed desecration. 

David 
(Smilinff.) 
Naida, you are simply a child. 

Naida 
Oh, please don't laugh at me. When are they coming? 

David 
I said at five or half past. I knew you would be ready 
then. 

Naida 
I must change my gown. 

David 
That isn't necessary at all. You look charming in that, 
Naida. 

Naida 
I know I do. I don't want to look charming. I*m going 
in and put on that blue thing we both detest. 

David 

And you say you aren't a child. 

Naida 
Well perhaps I am, if being a child is to feel things that 
other people don't bother about. 
{Embracing him.) 
You know I love you, my dear, my dear. How can 1 
ever make you understand ? 

]29[ 



David 
I do. Please know that I do. 

Naida 

No, no, no you don't. Kiss me. 

David 

{Kissing her.) 
Sometimes I wonder if I did wrong ... a prossaic college 
professor to ever dare to want you . . . 

Naida 
You are so far above me ... 

David 

Naida, there's something I haven't told you . . . some- 
thing that may hurt you. 

Naida 
Hurt me? You, David? How could you hurt me? 

David 

I have been dishonest with you. At least I have neg- 
lected to tell you the truth, I don't know why. Perhaps 
I thought it would never make any difference. I don't 
think it will. 

Naida 

But, David, what is it? 

David 
I don't know exactly how to tell you. 

Naida 
Is it so terrible, then? 

David 

No, no, it isn't. It is something absurd. Just one of those 
things that really don't count. And yet they are so powerful, 
so deadly powerful. 

[30] 



Naida 
Why, David, I haven't an idea of what you can mean. 

David 
Naida, dear . . . Do you consider me a part of your very 
self ? Am I that near to you ? Are we really one ? 

Naida 
(Earnestly.) 
You know that! 

David 
Yes. It is simply this ... I should have told you before. 
Now that my people are coming you must know . . . We 
are Jews, Naida. I am a Jew. 

(Naida draws away in silence. Her face is difficult 
to read. She seems stunned. David watches her 
anxiously.) 

David 
Naida, it does make a difference. You do care! 

Naida 
(Slowly.) 
No, David. No, it doesn't ... It really doesn't make 
any difference. 

David 

That is just like you. I knew you would be big and 
generous as always. 

(Kissing her hand.) 
Thank you. 

Naida 
But it is strange all the same. I can't help thinking of it. 
You don't seem like a Jew, David. 

David 
(Bitterly.) 
A Jew has a heart and a brain like any other man. 

[31] 



Naida 
That is why you didn't tell me. You are ashamed of it 
then. 

David 
Perhaps I am. Oh, I could forget . . . But I am never 
allowed to forget. Ever since I was a small boy I have 
had it thrust into my face, "Jew! Jew! Jew!" when I was 
trying with all my soul to be a man. 

Naida 
David, I want j^ou to know that I don't feel that way at 
all, that to me it doesn't make a particle of difference what 
you are as long as you love me and I love you. 

David 
Oh, how good you are! 

Naida 
You don't have to be grateful. It is I . . . I am the one 
to be grateful to you for even noticing me. 

David 
I want to tell you, Naida ... my best friends . . . 

Naida 
Yes, David, your friends . . . Are they Jewish, too? 

David 
No. I have always avoided them. 

Naida 
You have avoided them! 

David 
I know. I know. It is wrong of me. The whole feeling 
is wrong. It is narrow and mean and it goes on breeding 
narrowness and meanness. There is no ending to the hide- 
ousness of this feeling. Why, look, it has even made me 
lie to you! 

132[ 



NAroA 
Come now, don't let us talk about it any more. It is 
buried as far as wc are concerned. There is the telephone 
ringing in our room. 

David 
{Going right.) 
They must be downstairs now. Shall I ask them to 
come up? 

Naida 
Yes. And I have forgotten to change my dress. Well, 
that would have been a petty thing to do, anyway. 

David 
I forgot to tell you that my younger sister Is coming, too. 

Naida 
Oh, your younger sister is coming, too. What is her 
name? 

David 
Ruby. You will like her. She was a very sweet child, 
but lately she's been taking up art. 

All right, send them up. {Enters room again.) 

Naida 
Was it they? 

David 
Yes, they are coming right up. 

{Going to her.) 
Please don't be so serious about it. Meeting your hus- 
band's people is one of the things we have to go through 
with. Try to be more worldly. 

Naida 
That is exactly it. 

[33] 



David 
I don't know what you mean. 

Naida 
I think they're at the door. 

David 
This must be they now. I hope you'll like Eva . . . 
that's my married sister. 

(Ai the door — outside.) 
Hello. Hello, mamma. Ruby . . . Eva . . . Come in 
. . . Come right in . . . Yes, she's here. 

Mrs. Davis is very fat. She has dark brown eyes 
filled with fire. She is stubborn, violent in everything: 
sentimental, narrow minded, weak, generous and mis- 
understood by everyone. She speaks with quite a Ger- 
man accent. 

Eva is quietly, correctly dressed, luhich completely 
expresses her, as she is quiet and correct. 

Ruby is quite pretty and young even for sixteen. 

Mrs. Davis 
David, I suppose I should spank you. Ach, vat a surprise 
for us all. To go ant get yourself a vife! Veil, vere is she? 
Vere is de new Meeses Davis? 

Naida 
I am very glad to know you, Mrs. Davis. 

Mrs. Davis 
Kiss me, my dear. You are my daughter now. Remem- 
ber! She looks like Mrs. Silbermann, don't she, Eva, about 
de eyes? 

David 
This is my married sister, Naida, Mrs. Goldschmidt. 

Naida 
I am glad to know you, Mrs. Goldsmith. 
[34] 



Eva 
How do you do. 

David 
And this is Ruby, the baby. 

Naida 
How do you do? 

(Ruby giggles.) 

Mrs. Davis 
You are younker dan I shoult haff imagined. Davit is 
tirty-five. Aren't you, Davitt? You birt-day comes on de 
twenty-first of September. Yes, you vill be tirty-five. Tink 
of it! Ant now he iss married! Vere's a chair? 
{Sits.) 
Vat a pretty room. Ver nize. Say someting, Eva. Davitt, 
I must say you are very comfortably fixed here. 

David 
Here's a more comfortable chair, mama. Sit here. 

Mrs. Davis 
Di vill do. Ven I have vonce sat down I don't like to 
get up in a hurry. I have been having trouble mitt my 
legs, Davitt. Look at dem, all swollen out. De doctor 
don't seem to know vat de trouble is. It comes from my 
stomach, he tinks. He says I eat too much. But dat isn't 
so? Is it, Eva? 

{Without giving her time to reply.) 
Vat do you pay here ? 

David 

Oh, it isn't as expensive as it looks. 

Mrs. Davis 
Very nize. Isn't it, Eva? 

Eva 

Very. 

Mrs. Davis 
How long have you been here, Davitt ? 
[35] 



David 
Just . . . how long is it, Naida? You would remember. 

Naida 
Oh, I don't know exactly. You get a very nice view from 
Fifth Avenue from the windows here. 

Mrs. Davis 
I suppose you enchoy Fifth Avenue — like most young 
▼omen? Veil, dat passes off . . . like udder tings. Davitt, 
I am tinking of giving up de city house. Too much egspense. 
Vat do we vant mitt a house in de country and von in de 
city? I don't enchoy de city at all. I am miserable de whole 
time. Noise, people, egspense, no sleep . . . And vat do you 
get? Notting. Simply notting. De opera vonce a week 
and a lot of strangers coming to dinner. Now in de country 
I have a fine beeg room to myself, I have peace ant quiet, 
plenty of servants and a goot furnace and, please Gott, some 
day I vill haff grantchildren to run around de olt place ant 
keep me company. What more? Isn't it so, Eva? 

Eva 
But you have grandchildren now, mamma. 

Mrs. Davis 
I mean a great deal of grantchildren . . . hundreds of 
grantchildren. Isn't dat so, Davitt? 

David 
Of course, of course, mama. How is auntie? 

Mrs. Davis 
(Shruffs.) 
Oh, she iss de same. Vat can you do? She alvays com- 
plains. She puts her interference into everyding as usuaL 
She's veil. She hass a big appetite. Mrs. Solomon vaa 
asking for you de udder day, Davitt. Vasn't she, Eva ? 

Eva 
Oh yea. She always admired you so much, David. 
[36] 



David 
That is very, kind of her. 

(To Naida.) 
An old neighbor of ours in the country. 

Mrs. Davis 
Very rich people. Very old Jewish family. But ve are 
forgetting de bride. Naida . . . Iss dat your real name? 
Naida! I never heard Naida before. Vat does it mean? 
Anything? Iss it a Russian name or an English name? 
Vat kind of a name iss it? 

NAroA 
It is a stage name. 

Mrs. Davis 
A stage name! 

(Shocked.) 
Are you on de stage, den? 

Naida 
I was studying for the operatic stage. 

Mrs. Davis 
(To Eva.) 
She vass studying for de operatic stage. 
So! Tink of dat den! Vat iss your real name, den, if 
it isn't Naida? 

Naida 
My real name is Ada. 

Mrs. Davis 
So! Your real name is Ada. And vat made you change 
your name? Vasn't Ada goot enough for you? 

Naida 
My name was plain Ada Jones. I know no one would 
ever pay to hear plain Ada Jones sing, so I simply added 
an i and an n and made it Naida. 

[371 



David 
But, dear, I didn't know that your name was Ada. 

Naida 
We never talked about it, David. 

Mrs, Davis 
You never talked about vedder her name was Ada or 
Naida ! 

{To Naida.) 
Veil, Ada, your name vas Jones. So you aren't a Jewish 
girl, are you? 

Naida 
No, Mrs. Davis. And every one calls me Naida now. 

Mrs. Davis 
{Stops to think, then turns to David.) 
So. Veil! 

Davitt, ve read de article about you in de Sunday pabers. 
Ve vere all so proud, of course. Papa vass pleased to dett. 
Poor papa, he's been feeling sick. His kidneys trouble him. 
Don't you ever tink of poor papa, Davitt? He's alvays 
tinking about you. Ven iss Davitt coming home? Vy 
doesn't Davitt come to see me? Isn't dat so, Eva? 

Eva 
Papa feels very badly that you don't come to see us all 
and bring . . . Naida. 

David 
I don't see why he should feel hurt at my not coming. 
I have been home so little in the past year ortwo. I have 
always had my own place in town in the winter. 

Mrs. Davis 
You young people never tink of family ties. I suppose 
your mudder is living, Ada? 

Naida 
No, my mother died when I was a baby. 
[38] 



Mrs. Davis 
Vas your mudder an American? 

Naida 
No. 

Mrs. Davis 
Vat was she ? 

Naida 
My mother was French. 

Mrs. Davis 
So. To tink of Davitt's marrying a French girl. 

David 
Naida, you never told me your mother was French. 

Naida 
You never asked me, David. 

Mrs. Davis 
Veil! Iss your father living den? 

Naida 
No. My father died when I was young. 

Mrs. Davis 
Who brought you up den ? Somebotty must have brought 
you up. 

Naida 
An American woman from the South. She brought me 
from England when I was still a child. You see my father 
was part Irish — but we always lived in England. 

Mrs. Davis 
His mudder vass Irish den? 

Naida 
Oh, no. His mother was Italian. 
[39] 



Mrs. Davis 
French, English, Irish, Italian . . , Gott, Davitt, it seems 
to me your vife is everyting but Jewish. 

David 

(Lauffhinff.) 

What diflFerence does that make? We are all Americans 
now. 

Mrs. Davis 
Of course. Vy not? I am not old fashioned. Veil, how 
long are you two expecting to stay here? Oh, a hotel iss 
alright for honej'^moons, but honeymoons don't last forever. 
Life is not all tea and silk cushions. Ach, don't I know dat? 
I had a honeymoon, too. I haff not forgotten. Your fadder 
has tonsilitis. I could not get near him for weeks. 
{Turning impatiently to Eva.) 
Vy don't you say someding? 

Ruby 
Don't you think we had better be going, mama? 

Naida 
(To Ruby.) 
David tells me you are studying art. Do you like it? 

Ruby 
Oh, yes, very much. 

Mrs. Davis 
She makes very nize little trawings. Although I don't 
approve of de nude. It teaches young beople immodesty. 
De body is meant to be useful not ornamental. Vy are 
ve so ugly? 

David 

Are we ugly? Surely not all . . . 
(Ruby giggles.) 

[40] 



Mrs. Davis 
Ruby! De art school is taking all her sensibilities avay. 
Trawings from de nude, Greek dancing ... is dere notting 
left for brivate life? Veil, we must go. But not before you 
bromise to come out to Roselands for dinner. Vy not plan to 
spend de whole summer mitt us? Dat's an idea. Papa 
vould be in Heaven. You can haff a whole ving to your- 
selves. You can safe money, Davitt. And dere's de labora- 
tory. Somebotty asked me de udder day . . . Vy haff you 
got dat shed dere ... to keep elephants in? Ant I said, no, 
dat iss for my bug hunter. He hunts bugs in dere and sticks 
pins into guinea pigs to make dem squeal. Veil, veil. I 
won't make fun. I know dat you are a very great scientist. 
Gott, vere vould de voild be mittout science? Isn't it 
so, Ada? 

Naida 
Oh, yes, I think David's work is very important. 

Mrs. Davis 
Dat's right. Dat's right. I am glad to hear it. I sup- 
pose you are very fond of cooking little tings? Davitt used 
to be very fond of my strudel and hasenpfheffer. 

Naida 
I really have had very little practice in cooking, Mrs. 
Davis. 

Mrs. Davis 
Like every mottern girl. Take Ruby, now. She can 
cook. But does she? 

{Seeing the table with the cocktail glass.) 
You drink cocktails in de afternoon? 

{as Naida is about to speak) 
Nevermint. I am not old fashioned. Veil, goot pye, 
Davitt. Don't forget your bromise to come out to Rose- 
lands on Sunday. Ve shall egspect you. Papa can't vait 
to see Ada. 

[41] 



NAroA 
But my name is Naida. 

Mrs. Davis 
No, I can never remember to add an i and an n. Ada 
iss goot enough for me. Goot pye, my dear. 
(Shakes hands with Naida.) 
I am sure you are going to make my poy a very goot vife. 
After all, dat is vat matters, isn't it? Come, Ruby. Vy 
can't you say someting? 

Ruby 
{reaching out her hand) 
Good bye, Naida. 

Naida 
Good bye. Ruby. 

Eva 
Good bye, Naida. 

Naida 
Good bye, Mrs. Goldsmith. 

Mrs. Davis 

Schmidt! Goldschmidt! 

David 
(kissing her) 
Good bye, mama. 

Mrs. Davis 
(Affectionately.) 
Goot pye, my son. It gives me a treat to see you again. 
You never tink of your poor old mama, do you? And you're 
all I haff, since Eddie died. It vass his birttday yesterday. 
Did you go out to de grave? 

David 

No, mama, I . . . 

[42 J 



Mrs. Davis 

You see! Dat iss vat love iss. Forget everyting! So! 
Veil, goot pye. I forgive everyting. Be happy. No, don't 
bodder to go out mitt us. Go to Ada. 
{They all go out.) 

David 

{Who goes out with therrij nevertheless — returning.) 
Poor old mama ! 

{Laughs.) 
Isn't she funny? 

Naida 
Oh, quite. 

David 
She gets so much excitement out of life. She's always 
like that. She has the biggest heart in the world, too. 
Generous . . . she'd give anything away. Little Ruby has 
grown, too. Quite a young lady. I haven't seen her since 
she came back from boarding school. She's just at the silly 
age, isn't she? 

Naida 
She seems rather silly, yes. 

David 
You'll like Eva when you get to know her. She has a 
very strong character. She really rules mama. That is why 
she gives in to her in everj^thing. She has three wonderful 
children. Didn't j'ou like her? 

Naida 
Oh, very much. 

David 
I am glad. I thought you would. Shall we go out there 
Sunday. 

Naida - 

Do you want to go, David? 

[43] . _ J 



David 
I think we should. Yes, I would enjoy it in a way. After 
all, your own people do mean a great deal to you. And you 
would want to see the place . . . It's a fine old place . . . 
And my old room I used to have . . . and the laboratory 
. . . and auntie . . . Auntie would be terribly hurt if we 
didn't go. 

Naida 
You have decided to go, then? 
David 
Not unless you want to, dear. You don't want to go, 
do you? 

Naida 
(Quickly.) 
Yes, yes, of course. Why not? 

David 
{Thinking pleasantly of his family affection, not 
noticing that Naida is sitting staring ahead of her, 
trying to control her feelings.) 
You'll see then how funny mama really is. We all laugh 
at her. You should see her in one of her tirades. She 
storms around in a perfect whirlwind, sputters in German, 
berates everj'one . . . then Eva comes along . . . 
(Seeing Naida' s face.) 
Why, what is the matter? 

(Naida jumps up. She seems about to speak, then 
strides across the room and into the bedroom, bang- 
ing the door and locking it.) 

CURTAIN 

Act II 

Scene: Room at Roselands. Large arched door at left, 
back. This leads to a terrace which leads in turn to a 
[441 



garden below. Another arched door at right back. 
Small arched door at left, back. This leads to the 
front of the house. Terra cotta fireplace at right ivell 
forward. The walls are hung luith tapestry. The 
furniture is, for the most part, Italian. A couch well 
forward right. About this are grouped several com- 
fortable chairs. A small table to the left of the couch 
holds a lamp and books. Behind the couch a long table 
with two lamps. A large modern American chair is 
placed conspicuously forward. At left there is an old 
carved walnut chest. A small table of odd shape holds 
several marble figures and a box of painted wood. At 
right, tvell forward, against the wall, there is a small 
pulpit from a church. It is a beautiful September eve- 
ning after dinner. Jacob Davis, a small, grizzled, old 
Jew, of the gentle, almost effeminate type, is enjoying 
his after-dinner coffee and cigar in the company of his 
sister, who sits on the couch knitting. She is an erect 
little creature with the body and face of a child, for all 
her sixty-five years. She is always called AuNTiB in 
the family. 

Jacob 
Its just like we sit in de olt country, isn't it, Christianne? 
You pizzy at some tammed knitting and I bretending to read 
de baper. Only look at de room. Whoever would have 
tought of such a room in de olt country? 

Auntie 
{Counting her stitches.) 
Von, too, tree, four, fif . . . It iss nizc sitting like dis 
mitt you, Jacob. Since my brudder's become such a great 
man he never hass time for his poor olt sister Christianne. 

Jacob 
Don't talk such foolishness. 

Auntie 
Such bright nights. I cannot sleep. I jump up. I lie 
[45) 



down. Alvays de moon. I tink of udder times. 
(Sighs.) 
Batt to grow old. Nopotty cares. Alvays de young 
beople. Day hate you, and day are alvays so kind. Auntie 
dis, Auntie dat! Dear Auntie! Ant day vish I vass deatt 
alreatty. 



(Siffhs.) 
Put I can't complain. 



Den vy do you? 
Vere are my glasses? 



Jacob 
Auntie 



Jacob 

(Hunting for them.) 
Now you haff lost your glasses again. 

(He looks for the glasses.) 
Vat's dat — pinned on your vaist? 

Auntie 
My glasses! 

(She puts them on.) 
Lena vill never haff any light in de house. It's stylisk 
not to see vat you are doing. Put I can't complain. 

Jacob 
How iss your heart? 

Auntie _^ 

My heart? Last week ven you were gone away — den I 
had a batt attach. Very batt. Since den . . . Veil, I am 
alive, I subbose. It von't pe long, dough, before I . . . 

Jacob 
Vat a vay to talk now! Vy you haff a long time to live 
yet. Don't your olt brudder take goot care of you — vat, 
Christianne ? 

[+6] 



Auntie 
Lena don't care vat pecomes of me. She iss alvays so 
pizzy.* I am not allowed to do a ting in de house. I am 
treated like an olt piece of rubbish. If I am in de liprary, 
den it's de liprary must pe cleaned. If I am sitting in de 
borch — den it's de borch. Ant I am never allowed to help 
any more. Vy dey don't even allow me in de kitchen. And 
a French cook! Whoever heard of a French cook, Jacob I 

Jacob 
Oh, veil, Lena don't mean anyting. 

Auntie 
Such noodles! Like leader! Like leader! 

Eva 
(Enters.) 
Well, papa, you two old cronies gossiping after dinner? 
Where's Herman? 

Auntie 
Efa, who's dis Doctor Mackenzie who vass here for 
dinner? 

Eva 
He is David's chief at the laboratory. David met him at 
the golf club today and brought him to dinner, Auntie. 

Auntie 
I don't like him. 

Eva 
Papa, have you seen Herman? 

Jacob 
No, darling. Vy must you alvays pe looking for dat goot 
for notting husband of yours? Heah? 

Eva 
Because Barbara has a stomach ache and she must have 
lome castor oil. 

[47] 



Jacob 
Castor oil Vat hass Herman to do mitt castor oil? 

Eva 
He always gives it to her. I wonder where they went. 

Jacob 
Oh, I see, a sentimental reason. Dat's right. 

Jacob 
I heard mama say someting about David's animal house 
over dere. 

Eva 
Oh, of course. They've gone over to David's laboratory. 
Will you tell Herman to come right up, papa? 

Jacob 
Vy don't you go ant get him, Eva? 

Eva 
Oh, no. If I do they will make me come back and play 
bridge. You know mama can't sleep unless she has her 
game of bridge. No one realizes how serious a matter it 
is to bring up children. 

{She goes out, left.) 

Jacob 
{Rising.) 
I vill go ant get him myself. It's a shame, to go avay 
ven de papy needs castor oil. 
{He goes out, right.) 

Auntie sits knitting. When Doctor Mackenzie 
and Doctor Hotchkiss enter, she rises stiffly, going 
out right. Mackenzie is a handsome man. He is not 
tall, but well built and strong. He is of the type we 
call American — strong jaw, small nose, small brilliant 
eyes, smooth face, and clear ruddy complexion. Hotch- 
kiss is tall and angular. He wears glasses. His nose 
is a little pink from bad digestion. He is in evening 
dress. Mackenzie wears a tweed golf suit which w 
very becoming. They are both smoking. 
[48] 



Mackenzie 

(Looking about.) 
Not a bad room. Not bad at all. House isn't bad. I'm 
quite surprised. Of course they may have overstepped 
themselves here and there . . . 

HOTCHKISS 

I wonder why it is that most of us feel ourselves superior 
to the Jew — and especially if he is rich. 

Mackenzie 
Well, arent we? 

HOTCHKISS 

{Ignoring the question — examining a chair.) 
This is an original. Very rare — with that splat. 

Mackenzie 
And do you know, it's the Jew himself who makes us 
feel that way? Even the best Jew is conscious of being one. 
And that is exactly where he trips himself up. He's always 
making excuses for himself ... or defending himself. 

HOTCHKISS 

I don't see how anyone could feel himself superior to 
Davis — I mean, the Doctor. 

Mackenzie 

Davis? As a scientist . . . Well, in the last few years 
Davis has surpassed himself. He is not a brilliant, forceful 
man but he is the kind who works underground for precious 
metal. Sometimes, do you know, I am almost jealous 
of him? 

It's a funny thing, though . . . When Davis and I are 
side by side — say we walk out together — I mean just the 
physical thing . . . Davis's blood is always seeming to make 
excuses for itself. I can feel my personality take hold of 
him. Oh, there are such things! He envies me because I 
am not of a race of martyrs. He recognizes me as a superior 
animal. 

[49] 



HOTCHKISS 

That is simply physical magnetism. You exercise that 
over many people. 

' Mackenzie 

My dear Hotchkiss, Davis is not a woman.. 

HOTCHKISS 

{Laughs.) 
You haven't changed, Mackenzie. 

Mackenzie 
{Looking about — sees the pulpit.) 
What in the name of common sense is that? 

Hotchkiss 

It's an old pulpit . . . 
{Going to it.) 

Mackenzie 
What is it doing here ? 

{They examine it together.) 
Here's an auction number. It's the old man's latest prize. 

{Laughs.) 
He's bought the pulpit from an Italian church. 

Hotchkiss 
Fine one, too. I should say it was about fourteenth 
century. 

{Examines it fondly.) 

Mackenzie 
To think, Hotchkiss, that a man of God has tread these 
stairs, his head buzzing with platitudes . . . and now it 
belongs to our old diamond merchant who bought it at an 
auction . . . 

Hotchkiss 
And paid the price of the church for it, I warrant. 

[50] 



Mackenzie 
Do you suppose it really means anything to hira? 

HOTCHKISS 

You can't tell. 

Mackenzie 
Look at the mantle, if you please. Copied from the 
Davenzatti Palace. And before it — lo — a chair from Grand 
Rapids, Michigan. 

HoTCHKISS 

He probably likes it because it's comfortable. He has 
worked for his rest, why not? 

Mackenzie 
He needn't go to sleep in the drawing room even if he is 
rich. The tapestries are fakes, and so are the hanging lamps. 
What do you think of Davis's wife? 

Hotchkiss 
She seems very nice. 

Mackenzie 
She's a very pretty woman. I thought her gown very 
attractive, didn't you? 

Hotchkiss 
I don't know as I really noticed it. 

Mackenzie 
My dear Hotchkiss, you are simply a biological specimen. 
(Picks up a book of poetry — an edition of Mercure 
de France.^ 
Poems — French . . . Someone has been scribbling on it 
in French. By the way, their cook is a poet himself. I 
never tasted such patties. 

Hotchkiss 
Perhaps the poems are his. 

[51] 



Mackenzie 
Perhaps. Have you heard her sing? 

HOTCHKISS 

Just a minute tonight — from her own room. 

Mackenzie 
How was it? 

HoTCHiass 
Nice voice, I thought. 

Mackenzie 
Not bad? 

HOTCHKISS 

No. Not bad at all. On the contrary. 

Mackenzie 
I can't say how relieved I am. There's nothing worse 
than a woman who can't sing — unless it's one who can. By 
the way, Hotchkiss, do me a favor, will you? 

HOTCHKISS 

Well, doctor? 

Mackenzie 
Ask her to sing — off hand, you know. 

The others come in from the garden. Mrs. Davis^ 
Mr. Davis, David, Herman Goldschmidt, Naida. 
Herman is the pompous, uncuous type of Jew. He 
affects an English accent. He likes to talk above other 
people's heads — and his own. All are in evening dress. 
Naida's dress is expensive and very low. 

Mrs. Davis is heard off stage scolding Jacob. 

Mrs. Davis 
Don't take it off now. Keep it on until you get in de 
house. Such a papy! You'll catch your deatt out here in 
de damp, don't you know dat? 

[52] 



Jacob 
{Protesting.) 
I am alright. I am not a papy. 

Mrs. Davis 
Didn't I hear j'ou sneeze? You can't fool me. Running 
oud in de night air mittout a hat. Whoever heard of such 
foolishness ! 

Jacob enters, wearing Mrs. Davis' fur stole, which 
she keeps tied about his head, in spite of his protests and 
efforts to escape. As they enter he sneezes. 

Mrs. Davis 
Dere! Vat did I tell you? Look at him! Vouldn't you 
tink he vass olt enough alretty to take care of himself? 
Valking out in de garden in dancing shoes. Whoever 
heard . . . 

Mackenzie 
We have found where the cook keeps his poetry — ^here . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
(Exploding.) 
De cook! How can he dare? Vat does de cook haff to 
do in de trawing room? Jacob, do you hear? De cook 
bass left hiss book in here! Yellow French boetry. Gott, 
dis Iss too much! 

Naida 
Don't be absurd, Mrs. Davis. This is my book. I left 
it In here. 

Mrs. Davis 
You I Den . . . Ach, I see ! It's chust anudder of your 
chokes, Doctor Mackenzie. You are a great choker, but 
blease don't give me such shocks. He's independent enough, 
de cook. De udder day he tried to make me eat poisoned 
mushrooms. 

[531 



HOTCHKISS 

Poisoned mushrooms! I have made a studj^ of poisoned 
mushrooms. 

{Herman enters from right.) 

Mrs. Davis 
Don't be scientific! I vill not pe legured to. Goethe 
himself could not make me eat poisoned mushrooms. 

Herman 
But Goethe is dead, mama. 

Mrs. Davis 
Don't I know dat? But what has dat to do mitt toad 
stools? 

Eva 
{Entering.) 
Herman, where have you been? I never knew you to 
run off that way when Barbara is sick. 

Herman 
I am sorry, dear, but how was I to know she was sick? 

Eva 
Well, you might have guessed it. One of them always is. 

Mrs. Davis 
I tolt you so! 

Herman 
What is wrong with her now, Eva ? 

Eva 
She has temperature, and her stomack . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
Her stomack ... I knew it. She doesn't get enough to 
eat. Dats de whole trouble. De chilt is half starved. 
{To Mackenzie.) 
Vy you shoult half seen her, Doctor, last summer ven I 
had her. She vas as fat as a little angel, vasn't she, f adder? 

Eva 
That's just when her stomach got upset, mama. 
[54] 



Mrs. Davis 

You mean to say / upset her stomach 1 I upset my own 
grandaughter's stomach! Oh, Efa, how can you stant dere 
and say such a ting! 

Herman 
How many times have I told you, mama, that Eva and I 
have a special routine for our children and that if anyone 
else steps in . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
{Indignant.) 
Step in! Step in! Any von else! I am not any von else! 
I am her grantmudder. I tink if any von has a right to 
spoil her stomach I haff. 

Mackenzie 
Assuredly, Mrs. Davis. 

Jacob 
Veil, vy don't you do someding? Haven't ve trained 
nurses? Vat are all dose starched ghosts sitting around for, 
anyvay? Vy don't day pe useful? Vy don't somebody giff 
Barbara some castor oil? 

Eva 

Because Herman always gives it to the children, and 
Herman was out In the laboratory explaining science to 
Naida. 

Naida 
{Smiling.) 
So that's what it was. 

Herman 
I'll come right away, dear. I didn't dream Baby was 
sick. I'm awfully sorry, you know. 

David 
I'll go up with you, Herman. Perhaps there is something 
I can do. 

{Hermanj Eva, David go out.) 
[55] 



Mrs. Davis 

I spoil her stomach! 

Isn't dat an awful vay to talk to me? As if I . . . Veil, 
I vill not go near her now. Dey can nurse her demselves. 

Vat iss wrong mitt mottern barents, Doctor Mackenzie? 
Dey tink dey know everyding about dere children. You 
can't teach dem anyting. I go into de nursery and dere are 
tree nurses sitting arount like it vas a funeral. I hear my 
grantchild screaming. Nopotty goes to it. I say — Vere iss 
your heart? A papy iss crying! And dey say — Shh! Let 
it! And den ven I go to my grantchild dey all take hold 
of me ant drag me avay, as if I vass a devil. Vy iss dat? 
Nature! Dey are alvays talking about Nature. I am sure 
in de olt country ve never vorried about Nature but our 
children grew up to be strong ant healtty. 

Mackenzie 
Your daughter and her husband believe in practicing 
modern ideas of discipline. 

Mrs. Davis 
Mottern! Mottern! I hate vat iss mottern. It chust 
means doing some funny ting because nopotty ever heard of 
doing it before. Ada, you are smoking a cigarette? Look, 
papa, Ada iss smoking a cigarette. 

HOTCHKISS 

{To Mr. Davis.) 
I am very interested in your antique, Mr. Davis. That 
pulpit is extremely interesting. What do you intend doing 
with it? 

Jacob 
I don't know. Do you like it? My tealer bitt for it by 
mistake. But of course ven all de bapers brinted dat I had 
bought it I vass ashamed to send it back. It's bretty. I can 
put it in de music room beside de organ. 

Mackenzie 
Oh, no. Some day you must build a room around it. 
r56] 



Jacob 
Build a . room around a pulpit I I never heard of such 
a ting! 

Mrs. Davis 
Doctor Mackenzie is chust making fun of you, Jacob. He 
is9 alvays making fun. 

Mackenzie 
On the contrary. I would enjoy seeing your print col- 
lection, Mr. Davis. I hear you have some valuable etchings. 

Mrs. Davis 
( To Naida as Mr. Davis and Mackenzie and Hotch- 
kiss talk.) 
Ada! 

(Motions about the cut of Naida' s dress.) 

Naida 
I don't know what you mean, Mrs. Davis. 

Mrs. Davis 
Your tress, Naida. Vy all de men are looking at you. 

Naida 
(Out of patience — moving away — to Hotchkiss.) 
Wouldn't you like to look at my father-in-law's etchings? 
. . . they're in the next room. 

Hotchkiss 
I should enjoy seeing them very much, of course. Has 
he any Whistlers ? 

(They go out talking.) 

Mrs. Davis 
Do you blay auction, Doctor Mackenzie? 

Mackenzie 
No. 

]57[ 



Mrs. Davis 
Well, Jacob, I subbose we might as veil go to bett den? 

Jacob 
Yes. I must be up early in de morning. Doctor Max:- 
kenzie, I hope you vill excuse me. 
Good night, mama. 

(Kisses her- — ffoes out left.) 

Mrs. Davis 
(In a voice full of emotion.) 
Doctor Mackenzie, ven iss my poy to get his appointment? 

Mackenzie 
Well, Mrs. Davis, of course . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
Don't start in to make egscuses. 

Mackenzie 

There are many considerations. You must know that, 

my dear lady. You must understand also that I am not the 

voice of the whole university. I am merely a member of 

the board of judges. He is a very able man, of course . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
(Passionately.) 
Put he iss a Jew! 

Mackenzie 
My dear Mrs. Davis! 

Mrs. Davis 
Ach, gott! My dear Mrs. Davis! I know vat I see, vat 
I hear! I haff ears. Davitt . . . Davitt knows notting 
dat goes on. You can insult him to his face ant he vill smile. 
He hass his toughts — I don't know vere. He iss alvays 
treaming. But me — I don't tream. Vy dit dey appoint 
Doctor Reilly last year instead of Davitt, ven everybotty — 
even de newsbapers saitt dat Davitt vass de man for de 
blace ? 

[58] 



Mackenzie 
Reilly was an older man. He had long been associated 
with the work of the department. It was only natural and 
right that he should receive the promotion to a higher place. 

Mrs. Davis 
Dat he could not full ven he got it. He vass so stupit 
dat even before his illness Davitt vass doing haff his vork 
and his own vork pesides. 

Mackenzie 

Who told you this? 

Mrs. Davis 
Not Davitt, you may be sure. He never complains. He 
iss proud. Put he vants his appointment chust de same. 
Ant he shoult get it. Dere iss von man who stands in de 
vay. De most powerful man at de university. 

Mackenzie 
Who? 

Mrs. Davis 
I mean Doctor Albert Mackenzie. 

David 
(Enterinff.) 
What is mama saying now? Are you scolding Doctor 
Mackenzie again? 

Mackenzie 
Very severely. How is the patient? 

Mrs. Davis 
Vat vass wrong? Anyting serious, Davitt? 

David 
She is alright now. Nothing serious. She simply swal- 
lowed a moth ball. 

[59] 



Mrs. Davis 
A mott ball! Who gave her a mott ball to swallow? 
Pless her little heart. I am going up to her now. 

{fVith dignity — to Mackenzie.) 
Vill you egscuse me, Doctor Mackenzie? 

{Kissing David.) 
I am going up now. Goot night, son. 

David 
Good night, mama. Where is Naida? 

Mrs. Davis 
She vent into de liprary mitt Doctor Hotchkiss to look 
at papa's pictures. Speak to her about her tress, Davitt 
It's a disgrace. I do not like to criticise — put it's disgraceful 
Vy she looks like an opera singer. 
{She goes out right.) 
{Hotchkiss and Naida enter.) 

Hotchkiss 
Oh, Mackenzie. You can't afford to miss these Haydena. 
And there's a Whistler you'll want to steal. 

Mackenzie 
Whistlers, has he? Arc there any Duers? 

{To Naida.) 
I hope you're not going to desert us, Mrs. Davis? 

Naida 

No, of course not. 

{Mackenzie and Hotchkiss go out.) 

David 
You look tired tonight, dear. 

Naida 
Do I? I'm sorry. I was hoping I looked very nice. 

David 
You do, of course. You always look beautiful. 
[60] 



Natoa 
Don't I look especially beautiful? 

David 
I suppose you do. 

Naida 
(Lauffhinff.) 
You suppose. Oh, David! 

David 
Is that the gown you bought the other day? 

Naida 
Yes, don't you like it? Of course it's a little elaborate 
for these small family dinners. Why do we never have 
anything but small family dinners, David? 

David 
We really have very few friends, as I have told you. 
And, of course, for our relatives . . . 

Naida 
(Stffhinff.) 
Oh, of course, for our relatives . . . 

David 
Naida, don't you think that dress a little too ... I don't 
want to offend you. 

Naida 
You don't want to offend me, and yet you suggest that my 
dress is a little too . . . Too what? Let me hear, David, 
what you mean ? 

David 
Oh, nothing, only ... I thought, perhaps . . . The neck, 
you know. Don't you think it's ... It exposes a good deal? 

Naida 
I see. I'm indecently dressed. 
[61] 



David 
I didn't say that, Naida. I suppose it's alright. It's very 
charming, and you look beautiful in it. But — for a different 
atmosphere. I'm not narrow minded, you know that. But 
here — ^when it is, as you say, just a small family dinner . . . 
{Laughing.) 
You shouldn't look like an opera singer. 

Naida 
{Laughing — and hurt.) 
An opera singer ! Oh, how absurd ! 
{Starts right.) 

David 

No, don't go. Please stay and talk with me. I don't 

mean to hurt you, dear. Try to understand. I haven't had 

a minute to talk with you for the past month. You're always 

so busy with something — sketching and singing lessons . . . 

Naida 
Of course you haven't had a minute with me. You simply 
appear at meals — the rest of the time you are locked up in 
your laboratory. And at night you are tired. When do you 
expect to see me? 

David 
I am not locked up. You know that you can come in any 
time you wish, Naida, 

Naida 

Yes, and when I do go over there you are always pre- 
occupied and annoyed. If I begin to ask questions you send 
me over to look at the white rats. Now run away like a 
good little girl and play with the pretty little white rats. 
You never give me credit for wanting to know something 
about your work and the things which occupy your mind. 
Since / don't occupy it, at least I have the right to know 
something about what does. 

[62] 



David 

You do occupy my mind. 

Naida 
I did. 

David 
You don't understand me, that is all. 

Naida 
And do you understand me? 

DAviD 

Yes, of course — perfectly. 

Naida 
No, you don't. Because if you did you would know what 
hell I have been through in the last months — five months 
in this house! 

David 

What do you say, Naida? You're not content here? 
Why I never . . . 

Naida 
No, you never dreamed it. That shows how occupied you 
have been with me. You never noticed a thing. 

David 
Of course I have seen some things. I know that mama 
is rather trying. 

Naida 
Trying ! 

David 
But I even thought that you were beginning to get around 
her. You have a way of winning people, Naida. 

Naida 
Thank you, David. 

[63] 



David 

And you have been so interested in your singing lessons. 
You were so glad to have free time to work in, you said. I 
thought you were happy. You and Ruby have been good 
friends. 

Naida 

Because she is young. I must have youth about me. Oh, 
you haven't seen a thing. I am starving in this house. I 
hate families. I always told you that. I loathe those children 
and the castor oil bottle and that gluey marriage of Herman's 
and Eva's and Herman's flirting with me every time we are 
alone together. 

David 
Herman flirting with you? I never dreamed of such 
a thing. 

Naida 
Oh, that isn't so bad. I really don't mind enough, I 
suppose. And there's the rest . . . 

David 
What do you mean by — the rest? 

Naida 
Your mother and father and — auntie. 

David 
But they mean so much to me, Naida. I can't see why 
they don't . . . 

Naida 
Why they don't mean so much to me, too? Perhaps 
when one gets old . . . But I'm not old enough. Oh, 
David, if you had ever known what it is to be young. 

David 
Then you're not happy here? 
[64] 



NAroA 
I am simply stifling. Oh, I can't explain . . . The whole 
thing was such a mistake. I was never meant to marry. I 
was meant to go along as I was then, to sing and fly around 
with crazy fools like myself. We had such glorious times, 
David, being so utterly ridiculous. You can't understand 
that, David. You are never happy unless you are solving 
some deep problem of the universe. You always say I am a 
child. I am a child. I can't help it. I like those garrish 
hotels you hate so. I like bright clothes. I like gay people. 
I need and want everything you shun and disapprove of. 
What can we do? Here we are married and living a 
sedate life together! 

David 
Naida 1 

Natoa 
I've thought and thought. You can't help it. I can't 
help it. No one can. I suppose I will simply have to go 
on as I have been . . . 

David 
What do you mean by that? 

Naida 
(With a great siffh.) 
Stifling. 

David 
Don't you think, Naida, in time . . . ? 

Naida 
In time, in time ... Of course, I will get old. Gire 
me time and I will get old. If I could only be like Eva. 
If I could only congeal as she has! Castor oil and string 
quartets — that is all Eva thinks of from one year's end to 
the other. 

[65] 



David 
Naida ! 

Naida 
Oh, don't let us talk like this any more. It doesn't do 
any good. But please don't say that you understand. 

David 

Why . . . 

Naida 
Oh, it's — it's just everything. I am going in to them now. 

David 

{Getting her scarf which lies across the back of 
the couch.) 
Wait, dear . . . Here is your scarf . . . don't you think 
you had better put it about your shoulders? 

{He throws the scarf about her shoulders.) 

Naida 
{Furious at the idea that he wishes to hide her 
shoulders.) 
You Jew! 

{She throws the scarf on the floor and goes out right.) 
{David stands stunned and hurt. He is about to go 
out left when Mackenzie and Hotchkiss enter.) 

Mackenzie 

I see your father has a duplicate. A lithograph of Whist- 
lers. I've been looking years for it. Do you suppose he'd 
trade it? 

David 

I don't know, I am sure, how my father would feel about 
it. You will have to ask him tomorrow. I hope you will 
excuse me tonight, Mackenzie. There is some unfinished 
work ... at the laboratory . . . You know how it is . . . 

Mackenzie 
It's quite alright, Doctor, of course. 
[66] 



David 

If they ask about me, Hotchkiss, I'm alright. I've 
often done it before, I have everything I need. I hope you 
don't think us rude . . . Well . . . 

Mackenzie 
Good night, Davis. Awfully good of you to have us. 
{David goes out back.) 

{Seeviff Naida's scarf on the floor — puts it back on 
the couch.) 
You didn't ask her to sing. You promised me you would. 

Hotchkiss 
Why didn't you ask her yourself. 

Mackenzie 
I was afraid she might think I was interested. Women 
are so conceited. 

Hotchkiss 

Well, you are interested. 

Mackenzie 
If I weren't do you think I would mind her thinking so? 

Hotchkiss 
{Laughing.) 
Still the Don Juan, Mackenzie. 

Mackenzie 
Oh, no. I simply understand women. 

Hotchkiss 
{After a pause.) 
I suppose you have never realized, Mackenzie, that work- 
ing under Davis for three years I have come to admire him 
— to — well — to love him? 

Mackenzie 
I am sure I have no objection to your loving him. 
[67] 



HOTCHKISS 

I dislike to hear you spenk of him slightingly. He is a 
great man — not only as a scientist — but in every way. 

Mackenzie 
I rather thought that you admired me somewhat. 

HoTCHKISS 

You were one of my young heroes. I remember when 
you first came to the University. You impressed me enorm- 
ously. You were so picturesque. You were my ideal of a 
great man. Your cruelty appealed to me — as it appeals to 
all unformed 5^oung minds. 

Mackenzie 
Thank you, my dear Doctor. 

HOTCHKISS 
{After a pause.) 
Mackenzie, I don't want you to use your influence with 
the board to get me placed in a position which should go 
to Davis. If I get it, I am going to decline. 

Mackenzie 
You won't throw away a chance like that when you once 
have it: I know men too well. 

HOTCHKISS 

That is just where men like you fail, Mackenzie. You 
can control affairs as long as you are counting upon the 
ambitions of other men — but you never take into account 
their ideals. 

Mackenzie 
{Shritgging.) 
Have it your own way. There are others who will go in 
your place. 

Hotchkiss 
{At right,) 
Coming up? 

[68] 



Mackenzie 
Shortly. I'm going to smoke a cigarette. 

HOTCHKISS 
(Lauf/hinff.) 
Good niG^ht. 

(He goes out right.) 

Mackenzie 
Good nig;ht. 

{There is a silence. A maid comes in at left.) 

Maid 
Oh, excuse me, sir. 

Mackenzie 
It's alright. What do you want? 

Maid 
I came to close up, sir. I thought everybody had gone «p. 

Mackenzie 
So they have. I will be going up in a minute. 

Maid 
Shall I wait, sir? 

Mackenzie 
No, you needn't wait. I just want to finish my cigarette. 

(Meaning to flatter.) 
Mrs. Davis keeps very pretty maids. 

Maid 
(Meekly.) 
Yes, sir. 

Mackenzie 
What do you do on a moon light night like this? 

Maid 
I sleep, sir. I have been up since six. 
[69] 



Mackenzie 
What a waste! 

Maid 
I beg pardon, sir? 

Mackenzie 
Do you never dream? 

Maid 
(Earnestly.) 
Oh, yes, sir. 

Mackenzie 
Tell me what you dream. 

Maid 
Last night I dreamed of my father. We have a pretty 
little cottage at home, sir. I dreamed that it burned down 
and my father in it. 

Mackenzie 
(Bored.) 
What a pity! Well, j'^ou'd better go to bed now. 

Maid 
Shall I close the window, sir? 

Mackenzie 
I will close it when I go up. 

Maid 
(Going left.) 
Yes, sir. Good night, sir. 

(Naida enters after a minute. She comes in hesi- 
tatingly.) 

Naida 
(Seing Mackenzie.) 
Oh! I thought everyone had gone up. 

Mackenzie 
I am always the last up. I never enjoy a house until I 
feel I am alone in it. 

[70 1 



Naida 
Yes, I" can understand that feeling. I came for my book. 
The chef's book, as you called it. 
(She goes to table for book.) 

Mackenzie 

{Getting the book for her, opens it.) 
So you read French poetry, do you ? 

Naida 
I always spoke French when I was younger. I was born 
in France. 

Mackenzie 
Really ? Were jou ? That w^as very wise of you. 

Naida 
Please let me have my book now, Doctor Mackenzie. I 
am going upstairs now. 

Mackenzie 

Ah, markings in pencil. All your favorites . . . Verlaine, 
de Regnier, Paul Fort . . . Ah, here is your especial 
favorite . . . 

Naida 

(Annoyed.) 
Please, Doctor Mackenzie . . . 

Mackenzie 
(Reading.) 
Par les nuits d'ete bleues oij chantent les cigales, Dieu 
verse sur la France une coupe d'etoiles. Le vent porte a ma 
levre un gout du ciel d'ete ! Je veux boire . . . 

Naida 
I hate to have things read out loud. 
[71] 



Mackenzie 
So do I. Stay a moment. You can't be sleepy. You've 
been up there on that balcony of your looking at the moon. 

Naida 
How did you know? 

Mackenzie 
How could you do anything else? You see I see every- 
thing. I see many things which you think are disguised 
from everyone. 

Naida 
Oh, I have nothing to conceal. 

Mackenzie 
Have a cigarette with me. 

{He offers his cigarette case. Naida takes a cig- 
arette. ) 

Naida 
Well, for a few minutes . . . How warm it is in the 
rooms up stairs! 

{She sits on the couch.) 

Mackenzie 

{Standing near her.) 
Do you remember de Maupassant's moon story? Only 
old people and fools, he saj's, are insensible to the lure of the 
moon. And, do you know. I think that you are neither 
one nor the other. 

Naida 
I am not so sure about the fool part of it. 

Mackenzie 
Oh well . . . You wanted to be a great singer, didn't you? 

Naida 
Who told you . . . ? 

[72] 



Mackenzie 
Never mind. Well, then, why did you get married? You 
see that is where women are so unreasonable. They don't 
sit down calmly and think — if I let myself be married then 
I will have to go with this man or that and settle down and 
go his way instead of my own. They allow their emotions to 
run away with them, and then one fine day they discover that 
they have nothing left but their emotions — which have prob- 
ably cooled considerably by this time. 

Naida 
There are women who are successful both as artists and 
as wives and mothers. Why I know . . . 

Mackenzie 
Yes, and art suffers for it every time. A woman can't act 
with one half of her mind on her role and the other hall 
on the nursery . . . 

Naida 
I suppose that is true. What are we to do? 

Mackenzie 
It is tragic business being a woman. 

Naida 
Tragic? 

Mackenzie 

I have known a great many women. I have never known 
one who was not enmeshed in hopeless complications. Yes, 
one. My sister. She is enormously intelligent. She is as 
unfeeling as if she had been under chloroform her whole life 
long. She does a great deal of good, of course. You would 
scarcely call her a human being. 

Naida 
It is hard to stifle one's emotions — and then if you 
don't . . . 

[73 1 



Mackenzie 

That is woman's whole problem. She never knows when 
to feel and when not to. Look at yourself . . . 

Naida 
Oh, please don't talk about me ! 

Mackenzie 
I knew from the first minute that I saw you that you 
were unhappy. 

Naida 
Then j ou were wrong. I am not unhappy. I am simply 
. . . It's stupid, I suppose. My husband has changed so. 
(Lauffhinff.) 

Mackenzie 
You love him then? 

Naida 
I — I don't know. 

Mackenzie 
You have the most beautiful lips I have ever seen. 

Naida 
(Risinff.) 
Doctor Mackenzie! 

Mackenzie 

You don't want me to make love to you then? 

Naida 
Make love to me? 

Mackenzie 
It is very difficult not to. You are very beautiful. I 
worship your beauty — as if you were carved in marble and 
I kneeling below your pedestal — a humble student. 

Naida 
{Going right.) 
I am going up to my room now. Good night. 
[74] 



Mackenzie 
Just now as you stand there. A thought came over me. 
I have a whim — will you humor me in it ? Stand up there — 

{Meaning the pulpit.) 
Let me see you there — ^high above me — as inexorable 
as God. 

Naida 
{Laughing.) 
What an absurd idea. You want me to go up there? 

Mackenzie 
Yes. Please. You will look so exquisite. 

Naida 
{Amused and interested.) 
I might fall down. 

Mackenzie 
Then I will catch you. 

{She runs up the steps and stands in the pulpit, 
amused to look beautiful and be admired.) 

Naida 
How do I look? 

Mackenzie 
{Kneeling.) 
I am humble. Command me. 

Naida 
It is such a strange feeling to be in a pulpit. What are 
you doing? 

Mackenzie 
I am praying. 

Naida 
To God? 

Mackenzie 
No. To you. 

Naida 
This is blasphemous. I command you to get up. 

[75 3 . i 



Mackenzie 
{Going to the steps.) 
Give me some word from your world of beautj. 

Naida 
{Laughing and embarrassed.) 
I am nervous. 

Mackenzie 
My goddess has weakened. She gives me courage. 

Naida 
Doctor Mackenzie, I am coming down. Look out, I 
will fall. 

Mackenzie 
That will be human and wonderful. 

{He tries to touch her, but she eludes him.) 

Naida 
I don't like being divine. 

Mackenzie 
{Goes to the doorway looking out into the moon 
light.) 
The garden is wonderful. 

Naida 
{Following him and looking out.) 
How white and still it is. 

Mackenzie 
Oh, que le ciel coule en moi! 
Que je me fonde en lui! 

Naida 
{Dreamily.) 
Yes, to flow into the sky! 
Oh, if this were all as beautiful as it seems. 
[761 



Mackenzie 
It is! We will go far into the garden — back to the pc oL 
You and I will dance with the moon — two satyrs and a 
aymph. 

Naida 
{Looking at him intently.) 
And if I do go . . . ? 

Mackenzie 

You are going. Come . . . 

{Almost as if hypnotized she goes forward slowly. 
They go out and down into the garden. There is 
a silence in which the audience is made to feel the 
mystery of the moon light night, and to follow in 
imagination the two who are walking down to 
the garden.) 

CURTAIN 



Act III 

Scene: Breakfast porch at Roselands, the following morn- 
ing. Steps to the garden off left, back. Potted trees 
and plants along the low rail. Entrance right, at back. 
A screen before this. Another entrance left. Wall 
fountain with growing vines. Marble bench near this. 
Breakfast table right, with chairs. Serving table against 
the right wall. Mrs. Davis, Mr. Davis, Auntib 
seated at the breakfast table. 

Mrs. Davis 
Vy can't beople get up in de morning? It's chust as easy 
ass lying in bett. 

{To Auntie.) 
Why don't you have some eggs? 
C771 



Auntie 
No, tank you, Lena. De.v don't agree mitt me. Vat am 
1 lO do ven notting agrees mitt me? 

Mrs. Davis 
(To Jacob.) 
She iss too mean to eat eggs. Vat if dey are dear? Von 
hass to live I subbose. 

No eggs for my sister dis morning, Caroline. 

Au-NTIE 
{Complaining.) 
Caroline, vy don't you wear a clean apron? 

Mrs. Davis 
It iss clean. I w^ill tell my maids vat to vear! 

{To Jacob.) 
Ach, she iss getting vorse and vorse. I can't stand it much 
lonker. My nerves! I have nerves. Am I a jelly fish? I 
am going matt mitt her complaining. 

Jacob 
Dere, dere, sweetheart, she iss only olt and cranky. Don't 
fuss mitt her too much. 

{Drinks his coffee.) 
Batt coiifee. Vy can't dat French cook make goot coffee? 

Mrs. Davis 

{Tearfully.) 
You see. You chust agree mitt Christianne in everyting. 
Dat's all Christianne's doing. Here I go and get de most 
egspensive cook I can find — just to blease you — and den you 
say he makes batt coffee. 

{Drinks her coffee and then puts dotun her cup 
furiously.) 
It iss batt! Vatt is de matter mitt him dis morning! 
[78] 



Auntie 
{Rising.) 
I vill make your coffee for you, Jacob. Like de coffee ve 
used to have in de olt country. 
(Goes left.) 
You chust vait. Christianne knows how to make coffee. 
French coeks^ Whoever heard of a French cook! 
(She goes out.) 

Mrs. Davis 
Don't you dare go into my kitchen! 

Jacob 
Dere, dere, Lena. Let her make a little coffee if she 
vants to. 

Mrs. Davis 
( JVeeping. ) 
You don't loff me any more. All you care apout iss 
Christianne. I am only in de vay. 

Jacob 
Dere, dere, whoever heard of such a ting! I don't 
loff you I 

Mrs. Davis 
No, 5^ou don't. Nopotty loffs me. I am chust in de vey. 
I vould pe bedder off deatt. 
(Suddenly energetic.) 
Caroline has forgotten de toast! Caroline! 

(Violently.) 
Caroline ! 

Caroline 
(Entering.) 
Yes, Mrs. Davis. 

Mrs. Davis 
See dat you pring de toast on time hereafter. 
Caroline, iss your apron clean? 

Caroline 
Why, of course, Mrs. Davis. 
[79] 



Mrs. Davis 
Veil, veil, run along now. See vat dat olt pusy-botty m 
doing in my kitchen. I haff a goot mint to go and qiake 
de coffee myself. 

{Eva and Herman enter.) 

Eva 
Good morning. 

Mrs. Davis 
Goot morning, Efa. How is Barbara? 

Eva 
She's alright, thank you, mama. 

Mrs. Davis 
Vass you up mitt her last night? 

Eva 
No, that's the worst part of it. She slept soundly the 
whole night through — and I was lying awake wondering 
why. 

Mrs. Davis 
Dat's a mottern barent for you. Vy didn't you go ant 
find out? 

Herman 
I should like to see what happened to babies who were 
brought up under your methods, mama. 

Mrs. Davis 
I subbose you tink ve killed our children? Veil, didn't I 
pring up Efa, ant Davitt, ant Ruby — aldough dey never get 
up in de morning. 

Ruby 
(Enters.) 
VThat's that? Never get up in the morning? Here I 
am, anyway. Nice little anvil chorus we had at six P. X., 
Eva. 

[SO] 



Eva 
You needn't be rude to my child, Ruby. 

Ruby 

No, it wouldn't do me any good. But at least I can have 
some satisfaction in taking it out on you. 
{To Mrs. Davis.) 
Mama, may I go to the theatre today? 

Eva 
There's nothing to see so early in the season. 

Mrs. Davis 
No, it's a vaste of money. 

Herman 
They never put anything good on at this time, you know. 

Eva 
No, they take this time to get rid of the promising young 
American dramatists we're always hearing so much about. 

Ruby 
Oh, of course there's nothing high brow, if that's what 
you mean. You and Herman think if a thing isn't copied 
from Shakespeare or Shaw it's no good. 

Eva 
Well, nearly everything you see in New York is copied 
from either one or the other. 

Ruby 
{Enthusiastically. ) 
This isn't. This is a real American play. Mayn't I go, 
mama? 

Mrs. Davis 
Oh, veil, go if you must. I subbose it iss an imnwral blay. 

[81] 



Ruby 
Why should it be immoral, mama? , 

Mrs. Davis 
Vy not ? Odderwise vy voult you care apout seeing it ? Dis 
age is getting decadent. Everyting is rotten. Tings are ass 
batt as dey vere in de olt times at de fall of Egypt. 

Herman 
Don't you mean the fall of the Roman Empire, mama? 

Mrs. Davis 
Vat difference does it make? Egypt must have fallen 
also. Tink of Cleopatra ! 

{Ruby and Herman laugh.) 

Auntie 
{Entering with a cup of coffee.) 
Vat are dey laughing at ? Are dey laughing at me, Jacob ? 
Dere, dat is real old fashioned Jewish coffee. 
{Goes out with dignity left.) 
And dere iss notting to laugh about in Jewish coffee. 
{Caroline comes in with mail.) 

Ruby 
Oh, good — the mail! 

Mrs. Davis 

{With importance.) 
Here — for you, papa. Here iss anudder. Looks like your 
lawyer. You've forgotten to send him dose contracts. Here 
— for me — for Davitt ... I don't seem to know de hand- 
writing. For Davitt . . . For Herman . . . 

Ruby 

Anything for me, mama? 

[82] 



Mrs. Davis 
(Sharply.) 
Vait Until I come to you. For Ada. 

(Smells it.) 
Dat friend of hers alvays uses some scent. Pooh! Eva 
... I can't tink from whom it might pe. 

Eva 
Well, give it to me, mama, and perhaps I can find out. 

Mrs. Davis 
(Hands the letter to Eva, still looking at the 
envelope. ) 
Anudder for you, papa. It's de first of de month. Von for 
you, Caroline. 

Caroline 
Thank you, Mrs. Davis. 

Mrs. Davis 
(Reading the post card first.) 
It's from your sister in Atlantic City. Here's de baber, 
papa. 

(All open their letters. Naida enters. She looks pale.) 

Naida 
Good morning. 

All 
Morning. 

Mrs. Davis 
Here's a letter from dat friend of yours in de city, Ada. 
I could tell it a mile. Tink of using scent on your baper. 
(Hands the letter to Naida.) 

Eva 
(To Mrs. Davis.) 
I hope you have made arrangements to have Doctor Mac- 
kenzie and Doctor Hotchkiss taken down to the station, 
mama. 

[83] 



Mrs. Davis < 

Are dey leaving dis morning? Dey didn't say anyting 
to me apout it. 

Eva 
Well, we have to arran2;e for it, anyway. I will need 
the roadster for the marketing. 

Ruby 
I want the roadster myself. We're all going in swimming. 

Mrs. Davis 
You can't go in swimming. It's after Labor Day. Who- 
ever heard of anybody going in swimming after Labor Day? 

Jacob 
Who iss going to take me down? 

Ruby 
I am, papa, as I do every morning. 

Mrs. Davis 
Ruby can take you down in the Packard and let Henri 
vait for Doctor Mackenzie. 

Eva 
Don't forget Herman. Herman has to go to New Jersey 
today. 

Herman 
Oh, don't bother about me. I'm not too good for the 
train. 

Ruby 
Well, I want the roadster, and if Eva . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
{Sharply.) 
£fa iss to have de roadster! 
[84] 



Ruby 
Why can't Henri take her later in the Packard? 

Eva 
Go in swimming later. 

Ruby 
But it's high tide just at eleven. 

Eva 
Well, go in at low tide. Do something to be obliging. 

Ruby 
Obliging! I don't see how you can talk about being 
obliging! Well, of all the . . . 

Jacob 
{Jumping up, out of temper.) 
Roadster, Packard, Packard, roadster! Such a bodder! 
I vill get a taxi. Nopotty cares about me. Vedder I valk 
or fly or vat! 

Ruby 
{Contrite.) 
Now, papa, don't go and get angry. You know I'd not 
want to have you ride down in any old taxi. I will take you 
down in the roadster as I do every morning. 

Eva 
I don't see why Henri can't run papa down in the 
Packard and then come back for Doctor Mackenzie. 

Ruby 
{Feting him.) 
Because papa likes to have me take him down, don't you, 
papa? Come on, now, or you'll miss your train. 
{They go out back.) 

Eva 
I don't see why you don't say something to Ruby, mama. 
She is getting positively unmanageable. 

[85] 



Mrs. Davis 
Ada, you spoil her. Dat's de whole trouble. Since you 
haff been here she hass peen like a different girl. She used 
to pe shy ant quiet. Now — Gott! Dere's notting she does 
not do — and vat she does not do she tinks about. 

Eva 
And she's always talking about being suppressed. 

Mrs. Davis 
Suppressed! Veil, vy shouldn't she be? If you don't 
suppress human nature vat can you do mitt it? 

Herman 
{Reading the newspaper.) 
Speaking of human nature — they've let Hollister off. 

Eva 
Acquitted him? 

Mrs. Davis 

A lot of soft headed fools! He shoult pe made to die. 

Vat right hass von man to take anudder man's life? A nize 

fix we voult pe in if everypotty vent arount killing de people 

dey didn't like. Dere vouldn't pe anypotty left in de vorld. 

Eva 
{Rising.) 
I must see that the children get out. Herman, will you 
come and help Tillie with the baby carriage? 

Herman 
{Patiently.) 
Yes, dear. 

{They go out left.) 

Mrs. Davis 
{Rising.) 
Look at de eggs, Nopotty hass finished dere eggs. No- 
potty knows how hard it iss to keep chickens at dis time. 

[86] 



($he ffoes out right.) 

{Naida has been bored and annoyed through all the 
foregoing. Now that she is alone, she reaches for 
the paper and reads it intently. After a moment 
Doctor Mackenzie enters.) 

Mackenzie 
Oh, good morning. 

Naida 
Good morning. 

{Mackenzie goes to breakfast table and sits there.) 
(Caroline enters.) 

Mackenzie 
Oh, good morning. 

Caroline 
Good morning, sir. 

Mackenzie 
Nothing for me, thanks. Will you see about the car? I 
have some bags in the hall. 

Caroline 
I will see that they are taken down for you, sir. 

Mackenzie 
Thank you. 

{Caroline goes out.) 
How absurd this is. I knew that we would run into 
each other. I've been up for an hour — waiting for you to 
get away — and here you are, just as I knew you would be. 
Well, perhaps it is better so. 
{After a moment.) 
I have been reading your husband's literature — before 
breakfast. I got quite fascinated in The Life of the Cater- 
pillar. Does your husband spend his nights reading The 
Life of the Caterpillar? 

{He goes over to her.) 
Please don't hate me so very much. 
[87] 



Naida 
I don't hate you. 

Mackenzie 
Oh, yes you do. You hate me for being in such a hurry 
to leave you. You hate me for reading your husband's Life 
of the Caterpillar when you were waiting in agony to talk 
to me and get our relations settled. 

Naida 
Oh! 

Mackenzie 
You may as well admit it. My dear lady, I understand 
women. I know exactly what you have been going through. 
Well — I am sorry. I am really tremendously sorry. Does 
that help ? 

Naida 
Please ! 

Mackenzie 
Why are you angry with me because I am not in love 
with you? 

Naida 
But I am not in love with you. 

Mackenzie 
Nevertheless, you feel that you should have some kind of 
hold upon me, don't you? 

Naida 
Oh, why talk at all? 

Mackenzie 
After last night you think that we should have some tic 
between us — some bond — isn't that so? It is revolting to 
you to think that things like that can happen and mean noth- 
ing, have no importance of any kind whatsoever . . . 

[88] 



Naida 
That is exactly what I have been thinking. If I didn't 
fou love . . . Why Should . . . That is what I cannot 
understand. 

Mackenzie 
That is the trouble with our whole American sentiment. 
It is not based on knowledge of real life. That is why all 
of cur books and our plays never ring true. Life is never a 
complete harmonious chain of events woven regularly with 
the hours, with a definite beginning and a definite ending. 

Naida 
What is life! 

Mackenzie 
My dear lady, I am not an American novelist. I would 
never presume to compress the infinite into any small recep- 
tacle of my own making. 

Naida 
Oh, if you would only stop making speeches! 

Mackenzie 
Come, don't be angry with me. I am really not to blame. 
It was the night, and the moon and the co-inciding of our 
moods. 

Naida 

Oh, that I should be such a fool! Why, if anyone had 
told me . . . 

Mackenzie 
If anj'one had told you you would have hotly denied it. 
And yet all afternoon — all evening — you and I were gradu- 
ally, unmistakably leading up to the occasion which finally 
arrived — to the opportunity — the garden — and the rest — 
Things happen that way. 

{David enters. He looks haggard.) 
[89] 



Naida 
David ! 

David 
Naida . . . Mackenzie . . . 

{Sits at table facing audience.) 

Mackenzie 
Thank you, Davis, Good bye. I enjoyed reading your 
book very much — The Life of the Caterpillar — ^very fasci- 
nating . . . 



(Exit right.) 
Is mother down? 
Long ago. It's late. 
Yes, I suppose so. 



David 
Naida 
David 



Naida 
You slept at the laboratory? 

David 
Yes. 

Naida 
Were j'ou comfortable there ? 

David 
Quite. 

(David reads letters — puts down one he has read.) 
Well! 

Naida 
What is it, David? 

David 
Why you would scarcely believe this, Naida. They've 
met already. Mackenzie didn't say a word to me about it. 
Not an intimation. Why Naida, I can scarcely believe it. 

[90] 



Naida 

What is it, David? Have they definitely decided upon 
anyone ? 

David 
Hotchkiss. They've chosen Hotchkiss. 

Naida 
David ... I am sorry. 

David 
{After a moment.) 
It almost takes the breath out of me. 

Naida 
I know. You cared so much. You worked so hard. 

{The tears start to her eyes arid her lips tremble J) 
If I could only help . . . If I could only . . . 

David 
{Rising and moving away.) 
Please . . . not now — I didn't sleep. I'm all worn out. 

Naida 

I hurt you last night. I can't understand what made me 
be so cruel. 

David 

Oh, don't talk about that. I can't talk now. Don't you 
see how I am this morning? 

Naida 
Don't go. Stay and talk with me. Oh, David, won't 
you forgive me for what I said? 

David 
Can you forgive me for being a . . . 

Naida 
Oh, my dear . . . ! 

[91] 



David 

What chance have I? As long as I am underneath doing 
my work — helping along — I am alright. But the minute 
I want to step out and claim recognition — superiority — I am 
held down. I am told to stay where I belong. 

Naida 
And even I . . . David, say you forgive me. 

David 
Oh, Naida, not now! 

Naida 
Then you won't forgive me? 

David 
Oh, I do, I do, of course. Let me alone ... I must be 
alone! I am going out to my laboratory to work. 

Naida 
The laboratory! 

{Helplessly.) 
What about me? 



David 



About you? 



Naida 
I — can't be alone with myself today, David. Stay with me 
just for today. Let us take a long walk together. Then we 
can talk together — then we can be with each other without 
anyone else around. 

{As he starts to go left.) 
No, no, don't go. Please don't go, David. Please stay 
with me, David, David . . . 

David, something terrible has happened. I have something 
to tell you ... I must tell you something which will break 
your heart. 

David 

{Falling to his knees before her.) 
Thank God! Thank God! 

[92] 



Naida 
David . . . ? 

David 
I have been tortured so. 

Naida 
Tell me. 

David 
Last night . . . 

Naida 
Last night? 

David 
I couldn't work. I couldn't sleep. I ^wanted to talk 
everj'thing over with you. I was coming back to you . . . 
through the garden . . . 

Naida 
The garden? 

Naida 
Yes, Naida, the garden. 

When you were walking back, I was behind the hedge. 
I heard everything you two said. 

Naida 
You heard? 

David 
I crept back to the laboratory. I have had an old revolver 
there. I nearly — killed myself. 

Naida 
David . . . why not — him — and me? 

David 
Because I am the one in the way. 

Naida 
Don't! Oh, don't do that! 

{Going to him.) 
David, look at me. Look into my eyes. Can you ever 
have faith in me again? Can you ever believe in me again? 

(93} 



David 
I don't know. I don't know anything any more. 

Naida 

Oh, how can I make you understand? What I don't 
understand myself. I was unhappy, that was it. I was all 
mixed up, I even began to believe that you didn't care for 
me any more. 

David 
That I didn't care for j^ou! 

Naida 

You were so cold and distant. Then last night . . . about 
my gown I was hurt and angry. Then he . . . Oh, you 
know what he is ! 

David 

Last night I reasoned with myself. I reasoned it all out. 
I was thinking of j'^ou. How different j'^ou are from me. 
Even when we were happiest together, Naida, I always 
noticed it. I have never been the man for you. I must be 
wise about it. I must think of your good. Perhaps you have 
done right, dear. He is the man you should have. 

Naida 
Oh, my dear . . . 

David 
I have made up my mind not to stand In your way. 

Naida 
Oh, David, j'^ou don't see. You don't understand how it is. 
You couldn't. You are too fine. He doesn't love me. I 
don't love him. Don't you see ? It was simply . . . 

David 
You mean that you were just another of his . . . 
Good God ! Then he simply . . . 
[94] 



{Without another word he goes off quickly down the 
steps, Naida stands watching him atixiously. Doctor 
Hotchkiss enters.) 

HOTCHKISS 

Good morning. 

Naida 
Oh, it's Doctor Hotchkiss. 

Hotchkiss 
What a lovely, fresh morning. 
(Goes toward the table.) 
It is such a fresh, lovely morning I was thinking of walk- 
ing down to the station. It isn't far, is it? 

Naida 
No, not at all. 
Let me ring for your breakfast. 

(She rings the bell under the table.) 

Hotchkiss 
Thank you. 

{Looks out.) 
It really is a lovely morning. 

{Caroline enters — in answer to her question.) 
Just coffee, thank you. 
{Caroline exits.) 
I suppose when one is in the country he should get the 
benefit of fresh eggs. It's a great pleasure to eat a really 
fresh egg, isn't it? After the cold storage eggs one gets in 
the city. I hear, by the way, someone has invented a new 
way of storing eggs which enables them to keep their original 
properties much longer than ... 

Naida 

I wonder if you would be good enough to excuse me, 
Doctor Hotchkiss. I don't seem to be very well this morn- 
ing. I really feel quite faint. 

[95] . 



HOTCHKISS 
Why, of course, Mrs. Davis. You really looke quite 
pale. I'm so very sorry. Is there anything I can do . . . 

Naida 

Oh, please don't bother. I will go up to my room for a 
while. 

{She goes out.) 

{Airs. Davis comes running in from back.) 

Mrs. Davis 
Caroline, nopotty hass fed Mr. Davis's white rats and 
guinea pigs. 

{To Hotchkiss.) 
Good morning. 

Guinea pigs. Dat is science! To spend your whole life 
mitt white rats and guinea pigs. Till you pecome a white 
rat or a guinea pig yourself. 

You are leaving us, Doctor Hotchkiss? 

Hotchkiss 
Right away. It was such a lovely fresh morning I thought 
I would walk down. 
{Going to her.) 
Thank you, Mrs. Davis. You have been very kind. 

Mrs. Davis 
Dat's netting. It vass a bleasure to hafiE you here, 
Doctor ... 

Hotchkiss 
Yes, Mrs. Davis? 

Mrs. Davis 
About my poy? You vill see vat you can do about his 
abbointment ? 

Hotchkiss 

I will do all I can. I am always your friend, Mrs. Davis 
— ^and David's friend. 

[96] 



Mrs, Davis 
Thank you, thank you, Doctor. You are a goot man. 

{As he goes out back, J unties comes from the garden 
with a basket of flowers over her arm. She wears 
a big drooping garden hat with a grein veil.) 

Auntie 
Look, Lena, de roses! Aren't they pretty. Tea roses, 
Chust like de olt country. Not so fine, of course. Ach, it's 
so varm in de garden. 

{Feels her heart.) 

Mrs. Davis 

You vill kill yourself doing so much. Put you never 
listen. Ven you die, den it vill pe time enough to see dat 
I am right I subbose. 

Auntie 
{Childishly.) 
Let me show you, Lena. 

{Pulls out a large rose.) 
Look at dat. Like a papy's hand! Ach, how I loff de 
flowers. 

Mrs. Davis 
{Examining the basket critically.) 
Chust as I tought. You've picked dem too soon. Look 
at dat. Dey aren't even bloomed yet. 

Auntie 
Notting I do iss right. I am always wrong. 
You must speak to the gardener, Lena. De best rose 
bushes are covered mitt bugs. Covered! 

{Ruby's voice is heard off back, frantically calling.) 

Ruby 
{Off back.) 
Mama. Mama, where are you? 
[971 



Mrs. Davis 
Ruby. Here iss mama. 

Ruby 
{Running in.) 
Mama, mama . . . Oh, mama . . . Something terrible 
has happened. Auntie . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
Ruby, vat iss it? Tell me. Anyting happened to papa? 
Is it papa? 

Ruby 
No, David! Where is Naida? I must tell Naida. 

{Calling loudly.) 
Naida, Naida . . . How can I tell Naida. 

David 
{Entering.) 
Here I am. Ruby. I heard you. Ruby. . . . 
Ruby, has anything happened to David? 

Ruby 
Naida — down at the station . . . something terrible hap- 
pened. David shot someone. 

Naida 
Ruby, was it . . . was it ... ? 

Ruby 
Doctor Mackenzie. 

Mrs. Davis 
Davitt! My Davitt! Oh, my Gott! My poy! My 
little poy! Henri, Henri. I vant de car right avay. Henri. 
Vy doesn't he come? 

{She runs out frantically calling.) 

Ruby 
{Sobbing.) 
Mama, mama, I am coming with you. 
{She goes off back.) 

[98] 



Naida 

(Falls back against the door in a fit of violent laugh- 
ter which grows more and more hysterical until 
she finally shrieks out.) 
I'm so glad ! I'm so glad ! 

Auntie 

{Horrified.) 
Ada . . . 

{She goes to Naida and shakes her fiercely and as 
Naida continues to laugh hysterically she talks to 
her, her old voice growing strong with emotion 
until finally it succeeds in calming Naida whose 
hysterical laughter turns to tears — and she falls 
into Auntie's arms, weeping.) 

Ada! Davitt iss everyting to me, Ada. You don't know 
. . . Dere vass a time ven Auntie vass everyting to him, 
too. Ven he vass a little poy. He vass such a gentle little 
poy, Ada — not like udder poys . . . Not like udder 
poys . . . 

CURTAIN 



Act IV 
Scene: Same as Act II. September of the following year. 
Ornaments are removed. The room is ready to be 
closed for a long time. Chairs, couches, etc., have 
covers of linen. Mrs. Davis sits at right before a 
folding card table, playing Patience. EvA sits at left 
well forward, knitting. It is about eight-thirty on a 
disagreeable rainy evening. 
[99] 



Mrs. Davis 
Ditt you bay the expressman, Eva? 

Eva 

{Patiently.) 
Yes, mama. 

Mrs. Davis 
I subbose de furniture vill never stant de moving — ant 
storage. De vay dey vere packing my china! My pow- 
dered blue, Eva! 

{After a pause.) 
Ven are dey coming tomorrow to finish packing up de 
goot furniture? 

Eva 
At eight, mama. You heard . . . you were standing right 
there when he told Caroline. 

Mrs. Davis 
Ya. I hope dey don't break de china. Vat are you knit- 
ting, Eva? 

Eva 
I told you, mama. A little pair of shoes. 

Mrs. Davis 
Oh, yes. To tink of your having anudder child. 

Eva 
You had better send in one or two of the maids tomorrow, 
mama, to get the place cleaned up and things ready. 

Mrs. Davis 
Vy do you alvays tell me what to do? You are ass batt 
ass Christianne. I ha£E kept house for tirty years. I shoult 
know how to move out of von by dis time. To tink of my 
taking an abartment in New York after all dese years I haff 
said I vould never live in an abartment. 

[100] 



Eva 

You will be more comfortable there, mama. 

Mrs. Davis 
Yes, I certainly cannot live any longer in dis house. Here 
it iss September alretty. Vat ve haff gone through since last 
September! Half you seen de bapers dis evening, Eva? 

Eva 

Yes, mama. 

Mrs. Davis 
Oh, I cannot talk about it. Eva, if he had only never met 
Ada! She comes along — and vat does she do? She turns 
hiss head — mitt her i and her n and her singing nonsense ant 
all de rest. Oh, if she had only been de von to die ! 

Eva 

Mama! 

Mrs. Davis 
Oh, Efa, to hafF dis disgrace in my old age! Efa, you may 
pe sorry to haff anudder child. Vat iss it? Suffering. All 
sufFering. You gifF your life for dem over ant over again. 
Vat do dey do? Dey chust claw your heart out. 
(Slams down the cards and jumps up.) 
Ach, Gott! I cannot blay dis Solitaire. Look at dat! I 
haff got stuck again. Herman vent to court today, didn't he? 

Eva ^ 
Yes, mama, you know he did. 

Mrs. Davis 
I vake up in de middle of de night — I say — Davitt! Iss 
It you, Davitt? My son! Iss it all drue? Iss dis my 
own son? 

Eva 
Mama, please . . . 

[101] 



Mrs. Davis 
Dere, dere . . . Dis iss not goot for you. I vill liff for 
your children, Efa. May Gott brotect you ant yours. I 
know dey are going to break my powdered blue. But vat 
does it matter, anjnvay? But you shoult haff seen how care- 
less dey were mitt de vase papa gafe me on our anniversary. 
Vat can keep Herman so? He iss alvays on time. Do you 
subbose he hass heard someting? Mr. Harcourt saitt today 
voult pe very important at de trial. Do you tink Mr. Har- 
court iss a goot lawyer, Efa? 

Eva 
He is a very good man, mama. I am always telling you 
that. Everyone says that he did wonderfully with the case 
at the first trial, and that he has managed . . . 

Mrs. Davis 

{Interrupting violently.) 
But he cannot make an innocent man out of a guilty von, 
iss dat it ? 

Eva 
He was Hollister's lawyer. 

Mrs. Davis 
Hollister! Hollister got free. He vass guilty . . . but 
dey let him go. He defended hiss home. But Davitt . . . 
Davitt iss a different matter. Davitt is a . . . 

Eva 
Oh, mama! 

Mrs. Davis 
Oh, vy iss everyvon so cruel ? Vy do dey hate us so ? Vat 
haff ve done? Am I to turn against my mudder's blood, my 
grantmudder's, ant her mutter ant grantmudder? Am I 
to pe ashamed of all de goot ant honest beople who haff 
lived straight and struggled ant fought dere vay dat I may 
pe able to live and haff my rights ven I am born? Vat iss 

[102] 



life den . . . but to love your own kint, to cling mitt your 
last bre'att to your own flesh and blood ! My mudder vass a 
Jew, my f adder vass a Jew. I am a Jew! I am proud to 
be a Jew ! I vill fight for my own beople until I die ! 

Eva 
Mama, don't get so excited. Go sit down and play your 
solitaire. 

Mrs. Davis 
Solitaire, solitaire ! Ven my brain iss on fire ! 

Eva 
(Listeninff.) 
I think I heard a car stop. I wonder if it could be Herman. 

Mrs. Davis 

Herman vill at least giff us some real news. Vat can you 
tell from de newspapers? I shoult like to know vat kint of 
men write for dose bapers. Do dey tink dat life iss a choke, 
or a blay dat you sit at ant nopotty really cares? Ada! Ada's 
hat, her tress, her complexion, de vay she looked, de vay she 
talked, de vay Ada does dis, and de vay Ada does dat, as if 
she vass de heroine in a blay. Ada — ven my poy iss on trial 
for hiss life! 

{Herman enters.) 

What made you late, Herman? 

Herman 
I've had so much to do, mama. 

{To Eva.) 
How do you feel, dear? Headache gone? 

Eva 
It's better. Did you bring the toys for the children? 

Herman 
Yes, I sent them up with Caroline. How do you feel, 
mama? 

[103] 



Mrs. Davis 
Vat happened, Herman? Vat happened about Davitt? 

Herman 
Yes, mama, I am coming to that. This afternoon I re- 
ceived a note from Doctor Hotchkiss. 

Mrs. Davis 
Vat ditt Doctor Hotchkiss say? Tank Gott ve haff 
von friend. 

Eva 
Is that what kept you so long, Herman? 

Herman 
Yes, with one thing and another. Eva, Doctor Hotchkiss 
is coming here tonight. 

Mrs. Davis 
Doctor Hotchkiss iss coming here to see us! Someting 
terrible hass happened den. 

Eva 
Herman, has anything new taken place? 

Mrs. Davis 
Herman, what ditt Doctor Hotchkiss say? 

Herman 
He telephoned me. He simply said — ^Tell Mrs. Davis 
not to get excited. 

Mrs. DA^^s 
Tell Mrs. Davis not to get excited. Vat does he tink I 
am? A child? A foolish person? Am I such an olt voman 
to be talked to like dat? Excited. I vill get excited. I 
am excited! 

(Walking away.) 
Ach, Gott, vy can't I have any peace? 
[104] 



Eva 
How long is he going to stay, Herman? 

Herman 
I don't know. The whole thing is a mystery to me. 

Mrs. Davis 
Vat happened today, Herman? De newspapers saitt de 
jury vass sympathetic to Davitt. De plumber cried. 

Eva 
Oh, mama, you never read anything right. 

Herman 
There's Guyer . . . 

Eva 
The station master? 

Herman 
Yes. He is really the valuable witness. 

Mrs. Davis 
Dat station master! Vat right hass he to meddle in our 
affairs. Vy, Efa, you ant I ourselves vent to hiss vife ven 
she vass sick ant took money ant food and even night drawers 
to de children. 

Herman 
You see he heard what passed between David and Mac- 
kenzie . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
Don't say dat man's name! 

Eva 
What did he tell today? 

Herman 
Well, you see, he trips up the defense this way . . . Har- 
court has explained David's action by the sudden and 
temporary insanity . . . 

[1051 



Mrs. Davis 
David insane! It's wicked to talk like dat! 

Eva 
Let Herman tell us, mama. 

Herman 
Well, you know all that . . . 

Eva 
Yes, but what did Guyer say? 

Herman 

Guyer swears that David did not fire until Mackenzie 
said the words — You little Jew! 

Eva 
Oh! 

Mrs. Davis 
He fired den . . . ven he vass called a Jew? 
Oh, my poy ! 

{She goes right, crying.) 
My poor poy! 

{She goes out.) 

Eva 
Then this is what they have been waiting to spring all 
along? 

Herman 
Yes. Guyer has been clever. I think he has wanted to 
help David. 

Eva 
Do you think he has the slightest chance, Herman? / 

Herman 
It all looks bad. 

Eva 

You talked with Mr. Harcourt? 
[106] 



Herman 

Just for a minute. You see Mackenzie was so powerful 
. . . All the doctors have been working on his side . . . 
that is, against David. 

Eva 

But Doctor Hotchkiss seems to have some influence. He 
had David sent out to the sanitarium. He's comfortable 
there ... at least it isn't like being a prisoner . . . Although 
they won't allow any of us to see him . . . Oh, it all makes 
me so nervous . . . 

Herman 

Why don't you go up to your room and rest? Even if 
you don't go to bed just yet. It has all been so hard for 
you . . . just now . . . 

Eva 

No, I must be here to meet Doctor Hotchkiss when he 
comes. Someone must, and you can't count on mama. You 
go up and see if the children are alright, will you, dear? 

Herman 

I will tell Caroline to get a room ready. 
{He goes out. Naida enters.) 

Eva 
{Jumping up.) 
Naida! 

Naida 

Hello, Eva. I couldn't get anything to take me up, so I 
walked. Oh, you have a fire. How good it looks. 
{Goes toward the fire.) 
It's getting cold, isn't it? 

Eva 
Naida, I never thought to see you here again. 

Naida 
I never thought to be here again. What is the matter? 
Why is everything in shrouds? 

[ 107 ] 



Eva 
Mama is selling Roselands, Naida. 

Naida 
Will anyone buy it, do you think? 

Eva 
Of course. What makes you think they wouldn't? 

Naida 
Nothing. Why shouldn't they? Furniture is a funny 
thing, isn't it? 

Eva 
I must say I don't see anything funny about it. 

Naida 
This couch, that chair, the table where Auntie always kept 
her knitting . . . They are all like people ... all talking 
to me at once. 

Eva 
Naida, why are you here? 

Naida 
No, they are like devils — screaming at me. 

{Trying to be offhand.) 
I suppose you heard about my taking a position? 

Eva 
Yes, we heard, of course. \Vhy did you do that, Naida? 

Naida 
To make money. When I discovered that David had so 
little money really his own . . . 

Eva 
David has an income — as we all have. 
[ 108] 



Natoa 
But he is really dependent upon his mother for most of 
the big things he must have. 

Eva 
I think it was very poor taste of you to use the notoriety 
of our disgrace to advertise yourself. 

Naida 
I knew you would think that. 

Eva 
My mother would never have begrudged you money. 

Naida 
But she did, she did — until I began to sing in a public 
place. 

Eva 
I suppose you are to be congratulated that you can do it. 
You are very fortunate, Naida. 

Naida 
Fortunate? How? 

Eva 
In not being like the rest of us. We are so sensitive. 

Naida 
Oh I Where is Ruby? Is she here? 

Eva 
Ruby is away at school. 

Naida 
And how is Mr. Davis? And Auntie? 

Eva 
Auntie wasn't well today. She had a fainting spell. The 
trial has been very hard on her. As far as I can sec you arc 
the only one who has remained unchanged. 

[ 109 ] 



Naida 
As far as you can see, Eva. 

Eva 
Naida, why are you here? 

Naida 
What is that you are making ? It is so small. 

Eva 
It's a pair of shoes. 

Naida 
Shoes? Oh, it's for a baby. I never saw anything so 
small. 

Eva 
It's the right size. It's for a small baby. 
Naida 
{Suddenly.) 
Eva . . . is it . . . for yours? 
Eva 
(Annoyed.) 
Yes, of course. Don't be absurd, Naida. 
Naida 
(After a pause.) 
How funny ! How funny everything is. 

Eva 
I can't see anything funny about having a baby, Naida. 

Naida 
No, of course it isn't funny. I don't mean that. I am 
sorry, Eva. 

Eva 
Naida, why are you here? 

Naida 
Eva, I don't want Mrs. Davis to know I am here, if it 
can be helped. I don't want to see her. I can't see her. 
Eva, will you promise not to let her know that I am here? 

Eva 
But I don't see . . . 

Naida 
Promise me. 

[110] 



Eva 
I promise, of course. It is best for her. 
Naida 
{Who walks about restlessly.) 
How the wind is blowing! 

{Irritably.) 
Eva, for Heaven's sake, stop that knitting! -^ 

Eva 
I don't see why my knitting should annoy you. 
{Herman enters.) 

Herman 
Eva, mama wants to see you upstairs. 

{Seeing Naida.) 
Naida ! 

Naida 
How are you, Herman? 

Herman 
What, are you here? Eva, think of Naida's being here. 

Eva 
You'd better come upstairs right away, Herman. Mama 
will probably want you. 

{She goes out right.) 

Herman 
You are almost like a ghost, popping up like this, Naida. 

Naida 
Yes, this house is full of ghosts. 
Herman 
You're not looking run down at all. In fact, I never saw 
you looking better. 

Naida 
Is that a reproach? 

Herman 
Oh, no, not at all. I meant it as a compliment. 

Naida 
I suppose you did. Oh, Herman, please don't start in now 
and pay me compliments. 

[Ill] 



Herman 
I think that is very unkind of you, Naida. As if I were 
the flirtatious sort and all that, you know. I have always 
wanted to be friendly with you, that's all. I am the only 
member of the family who has understood you. 

Naida 
I suppose that was why you were so ready to talk about 
me in court. 

Herman 
I merely told the truth. 

Naida 
You merely gave opinions. I don't care! How silly I 
I like you. At any rate I don't hate you. Oh, why did I 
come here? When did you hear from Hotchkiss? 

Herman 
Today. He is coming here tonight. 
Naida 
{Excitedly breaking out.) 
Tonight ! I was right then ! I risked it ! 

Herman 
What do you mean, Naida? Risked what? 

Naida 
Do you hear anything ? It's the wind perhaps. It sounded 
like a car, though. 

Herman 
He'll come by train most likely. There isn't any until 
after eleven. 

Naida 
No, he will come by automobile. 
Herman 
Did he tell you ? 

Naida 
No, I just know. 

Herman 
You're nervous. You're trembling like a leaf. 
[112] 



Naida 
Noj I am, not nervous. I don't feel nervous at all. Go 
and see if an3'one came, will you? 
{He goes out left.) 

Eva 
{Entering.) 
Naida, you can go up to your old room now if you wish. 
I put a lamp in there, and there are some of your books you 
left here .... 

Naida 
Thank you, Eva. 

{Going to Eva, gently.) 
You don't look very well, Eva. You really don't look welL 
How curiously far apart we are, Eva. I am sorry. 

Eva 
Mama is in Auntie's room just now. She won't hear you. 

Naida 
I understand. Thank you, Eva. 

{She goes out right. Herman enters.) 
Herman 
Eva, why is she here ? 

Eva 
To bring fresh trouble upon us all. Oh, if she had never 
come into this house ! 

Herman 
She's looking well, too, isn't she? 

Eva 
You always have thought so, Herman. 

Herman 
Now, Eva, I hope you don't think . . . 
Caroline 
{Entering.) 
Doctor Hotchkiss is here, Mrs. Goldschmidt. 

Eva 
Here he is. 

{As he enters.) 
Good evening. 

[113] 



HOTCHKISS 

Good evening, Mrs. Goldschmidt. Do you know anything 
of Mrs. Davis ... I mean David's wife, of course. I have 
been trying to reach her all afternoon. 
Herman 

She is here. She came this evening. 

HOTCHKISS 

Ah ! She is here then ! 

Eva 
They aren't going to let David of?, are they? Tell us, 
frankly. Doctor Hotchkiss. There's no hope, is there? 

HOTCHKISS 

Not as far as the law is concerned, Mrs. Goldschmidt. 

Herman 
What do you mean by that? 

Eva 
Do you mean then that David . . . ? 

Hotchkiss 
Your brother has escaped from the Sanitarium. He will 
be here within a half hour. 

Eva 
Doctor! Herman, do you hear? 
Herman 
You are helping him in this, Doctor Hotchkiss? 

Hotchkiss 
His wife made the plan. It has been her courage and faith 
which has made it all possible. She has done everything in 
her power to save him. I have done what I can to help her. 

Eva 
But how is this possible? How can he run away like 
this . . . 

Hotchkiss 
David sails tonight for South America — there is a small 
scientific school in an out-of-the-way part of Peru. I have 
made arrangements for him to work in the pathological 
department there. 

[114] 



Herman 
{Awed.) 
Do you realize that you are acting in defiance of the law? 

HOTCHKISS 

I realize what I am doing. 

Eva 
Oh, Doctor Hotchkiss, you don't realize what all this 
means. You scientists are too taken up with theories. You 
never see things as they really are. This simply means fresh 
disgrace and notoriety and misery for us all. 
(Mrs. Davis enters.) 

Mrs. Davis 
(Enterinff.) 
Doctor! Doctor, vy are you here? Vat iss happening? 
I knew somting vass taking place. Eva, vy do you look like 
dat? Have dey decided? Iss dis de end den? 

Eva 
Mama . . . 

Mama, Naida and Doctor Hotchkiss have made arrange- 
ments . . . David is running away . . . He is coming here 
tonight. 

Mrs. Davis 
He iss running avay. Iss dis true, Doctor? 

Hotchkiss 
He will be here in a very short while. 

Mrs. Davis 
(Joyously.) 
Davitt vill pe here . . . here in my house again . . . 
home . . . 

(Suddenly grave.) 
But de law . . . de law ... it hass not let him go? 

Hotchkiss 
No. 

Mrs. Davis 
My poy! 

[lis] 



: 



HOTCHKISS 

Don't you understand what this means? It means that 
instead of being put to death like a miserable criminal David 
will go away ... he and his wife will go away to South 
America where David can have quiet and seclusion . . . 
where he can carry on his work. 

Mrs. Davis 
He ant his vife ? Ada vill haff him den? . 

HoTCHKISS 

My dear Mrs. Davis, do you really mean . . . 

Mrs. Davis 

Vat difference does Davitt make to her anyvay? She 
never loved him. Hasn't she broven dat? Yet she can haff 
him. My son ! Dere hass not been a night I haff not cried 
for him. Vy is everyting so unfair, Doctor? Vy iss it dat 
goot people are made to suffer in dis vorld and batt beople 
alvays haff tings go dere vay? Oh, I don't understand! 
(As Jacob enters.) 
Papa, Davitt iss running avay from de Sanitarium. He iss 
coming here tonight. 

Jacob 
Davitt is running avay? 

Eva 
Naida and Doctor Hotchkiss have planned for him to 
escape to South America. 

Jacob 
He iss running avay from de law? 

Mrs. Davis 
Yes, Jacob, he iss escaping like a criminal. Our poy! 

Jacob 
Davie ! 

(All during the following he stands quiet and stricken 
watching the others in amazement and pain.) 
Mrs. Davis 
Mitt Ada, too, papa. He iss running avay mitt Ada. 
[116] 



Eva 
Naida and he will be happy. They can begin over again. 
But we will have the thing over us all our lives. It isn't 
fair. It isn't right. 

Herman 
People never think of others. They are always thinking 
of themselves. If David had only stopped to think of his 
own family . . . 

Eva 
Yes, Herman, why couldn't he think of us? We will be 
watched like criminals. 

Mrs. Davis 
All he tinks of is Ada. Ada! 
{Naida enters.) 

Naida 
{Ignoring all but Doctor Hotchkiss she goes up to 
him eagerly.) 
Doctor Hotchkiss? You did come! 

Mrs. Davis 
Ada, vat are you doing in my house? 
Naida 
(To Hotchkiss.) 
Have they started? 

Hotchkiss 
Yes. 

Naida 
Thank God ! 

Mrs. Davis 
Naida, you haflF no right here. Ven you left my house 
you left it for goot. 

Naida 
(To Hotchkiss.) 
What time did they start? 

Hotchkiss 
At eight. 

[1171 



Naida 
At eight. And it's past ten. Do you think that it should 
take that long? 

HOTCHKISS 

Baker telephoned me when they started. He said every- 
thing was alright. 

Mrs. Davis 
Ve voult never pe vere ve are if it vassn't for you, Ada. 
You are de cause of all our misery. 

Naida 
It shouldn't take so long. Can anything have happened? 

Mrs. Davis 
Ada, you have no right to my poy after vat you haff done. 

Jacob 
Mama! 

Mrs. Davis 
Don't try to stop me. I vill say vat I haff on my heart. 
If Ada vass a goot voman she voult never haff done vat 
she hass. And if she had von scrap — von scrap — of decency 
in her she voult know dat she hass no holt on Davitt now. 
She has no right to him. 

Eva 
It would have been better if you had never married David, 
Naida. Then the outcome of your affairs would have been 
your own look-out. Why should we all be made to suffer 
for the selfishness of you two ? 

Herman 
If you only stopped to think of other people . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
You never treated me like a mudder. I vass alvays Mrs. 
Davis to you. You alvays treated me like de dirt under your 
feet. Oh, I am not a fool. I know ven beople are laughing 
at me. You alvays ridiculed me. You taught Davitt to do 
it. You taught Davitt to look down on hiss own mudder. 

Eva 
It is true, Naida. You never tried to become one of us. 
[118] 



Herman 
You never tried to make a friend of Eva . . . your hus- 
band's sister. 

Jacob 
Mama, Eva . . . ! 

Mrs. Davis 
And all the time you vere in de house you never put 
yourself out to be kint. You never did de tings vomen do — 
netting for de children, netting for papa . . . 

Jacob 
Lena . . . 

Mrs. Davis 
Or myself, or even Auntie. You vrere rude to all our 
friends. You hated us from de first day you met us, from 
de very first day. You made fun of us, and looked down on 
us, and despised us because ve are Jews! 

Jacob 
{Growing impatient.) 
Mama. 

Mrs. Davis 
Don't stop me! My heart is breaking. I curse de day 
dat Davitt ever saw you, Ada. I curse de day you vass born. 
I never vant to look into your face nor hear your name ass 
long ass I live! 

Jacob 
{Aroused at last.) 
Keep still ! 

Mrs. Davis 
Jacob ! 

Jacob 
Keep still, I say. Dis iss not time for quarreling. Doctor 
Hotchkiss, answer me, why iss Davitt coming here tonight? 

Naida 
{Quickly.) 
To see you, to see his mother, to see his own people before 
he goes. He is risking everything for that. 

[119] 



Jacob 
Do you hear? Mama, do you hear dat? Your son is 
risking his life, his freedom, his happiness, to come home again 
for von look at us, his own flesh ant blood. And here you 
are, quarreling, calling names, being bitter and unkind. 
Mama, pe humble before your son ... he has had much 
suffering. 

{There is a silence. All wait. Suddenly Naida 
calls out.) 

Naida 
There it is ! There's the car ! 

(Doctor Hotchkiss goes out. After a minute David 
enters. He is altered. He is pale and thin, his 
eyes haunted by a thousand imaginings. He looks 
about the group dully as a man who comes from 
the dark into the light.) 

Mrs. Davis 
Davitt ! 

David 
{Very low.) 
Mama . . . 

{His eyes travel slowly from one to the other, and he 
mumbles their names.) 
Papa . . . Herman . . . Eva . . . 

{His eyes rest on Naida at first dazedly, then curi- 
ously, finally hungrily, and piteously.) 
Naida . . . 

Naida 
{Low.) 
David ... 

Mrs. Davis 
Davitt, my Davitt. 

David 
Mama! You don't look well, mam. Papa, too — quite 
thin . . . And Eva ... All of you . . . If it had only 
been just myself. 

1 120 ] 



Jacob 
Mama and I have prayed for you — every night. 

David 
Yes. I seem to be seeing your faces for the first time . . . 
What sweet faces they are ... so patient . . . Mama . . . 
I am so tired. 

Jacob 
Davitt, you haflE not asked about Auntie. 

David 
Yes, Auntie ? Where is she ? 

Jacob 
Auntie is sick, Davitt. She iss in bett. 

Mrs. Davis 
Come upstairs ant see Auntie, Davitt. She talks of notting 
put you, Davitt. Come, mitt mama. 
{As he takes her arm.) 
Dat's right. Lean on mama's arm, Davitt. 
Jacob 
(Js he and Mrs. Davis go out with David.) 
You vill pe surprised, Davitt — dere is a change in 
Auntie . . . 

{They go out . . . Eva weeps. Herman and she go 
out after the others. Doctor Hotchkiss enters.) 
Naida 
You have been so wonderful. How can I ever thank you ? 

Hotchkiss 
You have been the wonderful one. 

Naida 
Everything has gone alright? They got away alright — 
no one knew? 

Hotchkiss 
Only the Doctor. He has been so kind. 

Naida 
And our passage? 

Hotchkiss 
I have it. She is a sailing boat and carries a cargo. You 
[1211 



and David will be the only passengers. Of course you realize, 
Mrs. Davis, what all this means? 

Naida 
That I will have to be careful? 

HOTCHKISS 

Always. On board you must be known as an invalid. You 
must never leave the cabin. 
Where is David now? 

Naida 
Upstairs. His aunt is ill . . . 

HOTCHKISS 

We must start at once. Baker has had some trouble with 
his engine. When we are ready to start I will telephone 
out from the garage. You needn't bother to answer. 

Naida 

Why doesn't he come down? 

HOTCHKISS 

Hurry. 

{He goes out left. David enters. He goes to Naida 
and takes her in his arms.) 
David 
Naida! 

Naida 
Oh, my dearest ! 

(They cling to each other passionately.) 
David, thank God for giving you to me again! 

David 
My wife, my dearest, dearest love! 

Naida 
Did you ever think that this would happen again — we are 
together — in each other's arms. 

David 
I never dared hope it. Let me see your face. 

Naida 
My face is close to yours, David. 

David 
This is worth everything. 

[122] 



Naida 
Oh, let us sit down until the car is ready. 

David 
Just to hear your voice again . . . to be able to touch 
you . . . 

Naida 
(Sitting beside him.) 
Yes ... I can't take my eyes from your face. David, 
lately, for the last months and since I have been in this house 
again — I have felt life stripped of everything, of all its illu- 
sions and narrowness. There are just the bare truths left 
— just our love — and our duty. 

David 
How your eyes glow, Naida. 

Naida ^ 

I am ready to sacrifice anything for that, David. 

David 

Yes, that is what I wanted to talk to you about — sacrifice. 
Naida, do you realize the kind of life we are going into? 

Naida 
Yes, yes, I do realize. 

David 
It will be entirely different from the life we have always 
known. We will be cut off entirely from human associations. 
We will have to deprive ourselves of a great deal. We will 
be watched, and we will be watching. 

Naida 
I am not afraid. 

David 
We will have very little money. There will be small 
privations — these are harder to bear almost than big ones. 

Naida 

I know. I know. I will make our home, I don't care 

where it is or what it is. I will give my whole life for it, 

David. Don't you see ? It is what I wanted all along — You ! 

Only you ! Oh, I can't hope to prove it to you all at once 

[123] 



. . . but you will see — little by little . . . 
(The telephone bell rings.) 
David 
{Startled.) 
What is that? 

Naida 
It is Doctor Hotchkiss. It means that it is time for us 
to go. Oh, my God, how good you are to me! 
{She takes his arm.) 
You are my child, my sick child. I will nurse you, until 
you are well again. I will keep everything away from your 
heart untfl it is brave again. David, do you trust in me now ? 

Eva 
{Entering.) 
David. David, I want to speak to you . . . 
David 
( Turning. ) 
Eva. 

Eva 
David, Auntie is worse all at once. A great change has 
come over her. Mama is telephoning for the doctor again. 

Naida 
{Grozving white.) 
Auntie ! 

David 
{Going toward Eva.) 
Auntie is worse you say, Eva? 
Eva 
She called your name — tAvice. 
David 
She called for me! 

Naida 
{Going to David — fearfully.) 
David, we must hurry. 

Eva 
David, I am afraid she is going to die. 
[124] 



NAroA 



David 
I will be right up, Eva. I am coming right up. 
Eva 
{Going right.) 
I will tell her. 

{She goes out.) 

{Pleading.) 
David ... 

David 
I must see Auntie. I cannot go without seeing her. 

Naida 
But we must go now. You heard the telephone bell. 
That was the signal from Doctor Hotchkiss. 

David 
I cannot go without seeing her first. 
Naida 
{Following him.) 
She is an old woman. She herself would forgive you. Oh, 
David, don't spoil it all now. Don't kill our lives now — now 
just as we are beginning! 

David 
Her poor old heart is not dead. She called me twice. 

Naida 
And I am calling you! 

David 
Yes, Naida, you . . . 

{The telephone rings again.) 
Naida 
There is Doctor Hotchkiss again . . . 

David 
How can I run away like this and leave her? She was 
living out her old days. She was happy in her own way. 
With her knitting and her flowers. She had peace. And 
then I took it all away from her. I know her old heart. I 
know how she has suffered. Almost as much as you, Naida. 

[125] 



Naida 
David, Stop! You are doing now just what caused all 
this terrible thing? You are listening to your ancestors. 

David 
Yes, Naida, you are right. That is what I am doing. 

Naida 
Oh, come, dear. We are in the right. Come! 

David 
You are right, Naida. I am chained to my ancestors. I 
am bound to all those who owned my past and who share 
my present. I have brought shame and disgrace and suffer- 
ing upon my own people, Naida. I have wanted to die. I 
have wanted to die and pay for my crime. There was only 
one thing that made me want to live . . . my love for you. 
Don't you see? I couldn't see you, couldn't be near you. 
I couldn't hear your voice, couldn't see your eyes. 

Naida 
You felt that you should pay? 

David 
Yes, I felt that. I still feel it. 

Naida 
And you wanted to be free — you wanted to go away — 
just because of me? 

David 
Yes, yes, don't you see ? The wanting you was so terrible 
I forgot everything ... it excluded ever5i:hing. 

Naida 
Then I was just another — sin? 

David 
Don't say that! 

Naida 
I was calling you in spite of your sense of duty. 

David 
Naida . . . Just as I am calling you now. 
[126] 



Naida 
And- out there you would never forget. You would never 
forgive me. It would have been a mistake. Another mistake. 
{After a moment Naida turns to go back.) 

David 
Naida, what are you doing? Why do you turn away 
from me like that? 

Naida 
Oh, David, isn't the truth clear to j'ou now? It is to me. 
For the first time I see it. You and I have never really been 
one. We could never really be one. I came into your life, 
something strange and new. You saw in me all the wild 
things you had missed and that was why you reached so 
eagerly for me, why for a time you thought you were so 
happy. 

David 
We were happy. 

Naida 
But we never really understood each other. We never 
spoke the same language, dear, never asked the same things 
of life, never even agreed about the things which are most 
important. You tried, I tried, but we were helpless against 
it. From the beginning it was there — and that was why we 
clung to each other so desperately, so passionately, trying to 
hide it from each other. What have I done for you? In 
spite of all my love, in spite of all my hopes and dreams for 
you, what have I brought you? Simply perplexity and trouble 
and miserable unhappiness. First I stood between you and 
your work. Then I stood between you and your family. 
Now, just now, I have been standing between you and your 
highest self. No, no, no, my dearest, don't lie to yourself, 
don't pretend any more. This is the truth. We must see 
it. We must both look at it bravely. Tonight — no matter 
what happens — I must go back without you. You must 
stay here — with them. 

[127 



David 

Naida . . . 

{They clasp hands and stand a moment looking into 
each other s eyes.) 

Naida 
Sometimes there is a kind of happiness in the truth, David 
Even a terrible truth. 

-^ (Naida goes back. David stands a moment looking 
at her. Mrs. Davis calls off right.) 

Mrs. Davis 
David ! David ! 

CURTAIN 



[128] 



■ir 

''IS 930 898 4 



